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THE 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME; 


AND A COMPLETE 

ANALYSIS 


OF OUR AMERICAN 

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, 

WITH A 

CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL COLONIES 
AND OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CHRONO¬ 
LOGICAL ORDER: FACTS AND STA¬ 
TISTICS FROM OFFICIAL 
SOURCES. ^ 

0 - 

By CHARLES BANCROFT. 



By judge J. C. POWER, 


OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA. 


/ 

V 


R. T. ROOT, PUBLISHER, 
BURLINGTON, IOWA. A 
1874. 







Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1874, 

By E. T. EOOT, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 






PREFACE. 


It is one of the plainest and strongest dictates of good sense 
that when a man has responsibilities to bear and duties to per¬ 
form he should make himself familiar with the subject matter 
to be dealt with. A farmer without a good degree of informa¬ 
tion in regard to soils, seeds, and the manner of using agricul¬ 
tural implements; a merchant without a fair knowledge of 
accounts and the laws of trade ; a clergyman indifferently 
acquainted with theology, or a lawyer ignorant of Blackstone, 
would be tolerably sure to make his career a failure. So an 
American citizen should be a statesman; that is, he should be 
intimately acquainted with the character and details of the 
government he is called on, as one of the sovereign people, to 
administer; the principles on which it rests should be as 
familiar to him as the multiplication table, and he should know 
the leading events and critical periods of its history by heart. 
To the sound judgment and far-seeing discretion of the ruler 
this solid basis of principles and facts is indispensable; and 
the citizen is a ruler. The principles and measures of Presi¬ 
dent, Congress, Governors, and Legislatures come to him for 
approval or rejection. His veto power is absolute and final. 

American citizens glory in this prerogative, and with reason. 
Without it they would not be Sovereign and Free. But they 
are somewhat indifferently prepared for the high duties and 
the wise decisions to which they are called. Their knowledge 
of the history and organization of their government, and the 
traditional principles of policy which they are expected to 
apply and maintain, is fragmentary and insufficient. They 

(3) 



4 


PREFACE. 


must depend too much on instinct and good fortune to avoid 
fatal errors in important crises, and they are incompetent to 
criticize and superintend the details of administration, which 
leaves the officers of the government quite too large a discre¬ 
tion in the management of public affairs. Hence the oppor¬ 
tunity of office-holders for self-seeking, of demagogues for 
intrigue, and politicians for abuse of confidence. The faults 
of which we so often have to complain, which sometimes con¬ 
vey the impression that the country is in a ruinous way, and 
which periodically require careful investigation and the com¬ 
plete re-arrangement of some branch or branches of the public 
service, are a direct consequence of the imperfect acquaintance 
of the people with their institutions and their proper manage¬ 
ment. 

The past history and present condition of the country prove 
that we have been singularly fortunate, and that the people are 
endowed with a remarkable degree of discretion and native 
good sense; otherwise so much ignorance would have been our 
ruin. The growth of the country, its rapidly increasing wealth 
and population, demand increasing intelligence and watchful¬ 
ness. It is gratifying to see signs of improvement in this 
direction, and a popular demand for the means of supplying 
the want. 

All the works heretofore brought before the public proposing 
to meet this want have been fragmentary, or have treated at 
too great length but a portion of the subject. A complete 
summary, or Citizens^ Manual, that includes not only a suffi¬ 
ciently detailed Analysis of the entire structure of the govern¬ 
ment, developing in a clear and comprehensive manner the 
organization, powers, relations, and mode of working of each 
department, small or large, but the principles on. which they 
rest and the spirit that permeates them all—that lays our his¬ 
tory so far under contribution as to show us the occasion that 
produced each institution and the gradual growth of the grand 
edifice and the causes that controlled and shaped the whole— 
that, in short, gives us an adequate reason for the form of our 


PREFACE. 


6 


institution, even so far back as the earlier history of humanity, 
when the tendencies that have borne this fruit first began to 
appear in human history, and, still better, their uninterrupted 
fiow, from the first settlements by the English colonies—all 
this is given us by the compiler in a manner that shows him 
worthy of the name he bears. 

The book is indeed a compilation, and the matter in large 
part from official sources, collected from an astonishingly large 
number of books, all of which are not to be found even in the 
largest public libraries; but the labor and merit of gathering 
so much from all directions and compressing a library into a 
form and compass so convenient, and so well arranged, in so few 
and well-chosen words, has been great indeed. Few of our 
literati Would have been equal to the whole task. 

In addition, a Legal Guide by a most competent authority, 
supplies the provisions of the law most useful and necessary 
for the daily business of life. 

The Publisher. 

June 1st, 1874. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Time may be relied on to bring its revenges for all wrongs, 
and to furnish a compensation for every defbct. After near 
six thousand years of personal or class rule, wherein the 
interests of one or a few have been cared for at the expense 
of the many, we are brought to a Time and a Land having a 
government “ of the people, for the people, and by the people.’’ 
This is a compensation to humanity for its long repression, 
and a fine revenge on its oppressors. The People will now 
demonstrate their ability to conduct a government on an 
immense scale, and to lead the vanguard of civilization. Their 
success has dealt a fatal blow at monarchical and aristocratic 
principles. 

This government of the people is virtually one hundred 
years old; for the first Continental Congress met in 1774, and 
from that time England no longer exerted any real control over 
the Colonies ; they assumed the management of their own 
atfairs. Comparing this government and its history with 
others, vre shall clearly see that it is more securely founded, 
more capable of great elforts, more prosperous, more influential 
with distant nations, while it conducts its immense system of 
internal and external affairs with more freedom and harmony 
of individual and associated action, and presents more points 
of promise for the future than any other. It is fast becoming 
the center of the world’s ideas and activity. In the historical 
parts of the book here presented we see all times contributing 
to this country by their successive accumulations of wisdom, 

( 6 ) 



INTRODUCTION. 


7 


experience, character, genius, and examples of bold and hardy 
daring; and when the fullness of time for the experiment had 
come, a select race—or selections from the better races—are 
put in training for several generations on a virgin continent, 
under new circumstances, in a different climate, and environed 
by difficulties of a tierce and formidable magnitude quite 
unknown to the old world. The element of vastness plays 
an important part in their education, elevating and stimulating 
thought and feeling. During a hundred and fifty years they 
are disciplined, and at length prepared to found, defend, and 
preserve in a course of constant improvement a government 
securing ‘‘ the highest good of the greatest number.” 

The process of growth is here shown, the formative forces 
traced in their progressive stages, and the mature result, after 
all extraneous and embarrassing elements are disengaged, is 
fully analyzed. It is an examination of extraordinary interest 
since it presents humanity to us under a new and much more 
honorable aspect. The maxim of Old-World statesmanship 
has ever been—‘‘ The ignorant and untrained many must be 
kept in order by the intelligent and disciplined few^ Our 
early statesmen discarded it, and yet feared the result. Happily 
they acted on their faith rather than their fears, and the form 
of government they reared was found adapted to the freest and 
broadest liberty. 

The history and present condition of our country and its 
government, emphatically establishes that as a man can conduct 
his own business in his own interest better than another, even 
when the other is in some points superior to him, so the people 
can care more safely and effectually for their collective interests, 
and will, in the long run, act with more practical judgment 
and good sense than the greatest philosophers and most 
eidightened statesmen in the world. The people often feel a 
truth which they could not state: and this instinct has proved 
in American history to be perfectly reliable and safe. The old 
world governments are embarrassed by inherited institutions 
and foreign relations that render it difficult to introduce the 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


experiment. Its success here encourages the tendency there, 
and self-government will ultimately be everywhere established. 

The thought constantly guiding the preparation of this 
work was to furnish a complete and adequate analysis of our 
government and all its institutions, to show the spirit that 
rules in and through them, and to furnish a perfect historical 
explanation of their existence. If we have “ begun at the 
beginning ” in our Chronological Data, it is but to give the 
clue—to show through what events the world must pass before 
it was equal to the comparatively perfect government and 
institutions that we are so happy as to possess. Though our 
government in its present form is less than a hundred years 
old, it had its real birth two hundred and fifty years ago, when 
the foundations of the colonies were laid. Our history is brief 
and chronologically arranged, but gives sufficient attention to 
the infancy of the future nation, its lusty youth and opening 
manliood to fully explain the existence and character of the 
modern miracle—the American Republic. 

When the National existence was assured its characteristic 
institutions were to be founded, adapt themselves to events 
and the people, and settle into permanent form. This process 
we have carefully traced, showing why and by what means 
they are as our analysis finds them. A popular work, 
containing so much information in a concise and available 
form, has never before, to our knowledge, been attempted. 
Meanwhile it was of extreme importance that the generation 
that is building still on our broad and magnificent national 
edifice should be well acquainted with its foundations, and 
understand the Law of Growth to which they must conform 
if their work is to be permanent. The instincts of the people 
seem to be sure, but good sense cannot afibrd to despise 
information, and it may perhaps be difficult to say to which 
we owe most—the instinctive love of liberty and intuitive 
statesmanship of the people, or their ready intelligence and 
quickness to comprehend the main features of every important 
situation. 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


We have sought to supply an evident want in the popular 
literature of our country. The history is seen to ripen into the 
Analysis, which furnishes a faithful picture of the government 
and institutions of the Republic as they are to-day. The 
whole is arranged carefully, so as to convey the most complete 
idea possible of each department as a whole, of all the subor¬ 
dinate parts, and the place and value of each in the system. 
We have endeavored also to convey a clear and definite idea 
of the mode of working all parts of the system, and the 
character of the results produced. On the whole we hope we 
have here presented an adequate idea of the Form, Spirit, and 
Energy of the civil and political system of the foremost 
country of the age. 

It is to the American People that this grand and noble 
fabric is due. Their perceptions have been clear and true— 
their statesmanship high and wise. Nothing comes by chance 
in this world, and there is a good reason for the existence of a 
government in the United States which has made it the Home 
of the Free, and the Land of the Brave.’’ If we have contrib¬ 
uted something to a correct understanding of the Origin, Law 
of Growth, and exalted character of our government we shall 
feel well rewarded. C. B. 


COJSTTElSrTS 


PART FIRST. 

HISTOEIOAL PACTS TO THE ADOPTION OP THE CONSTITUTION. 


CHAPTEK I. 

PAGE. 

THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 35 

The Dawn of History—Gradual unfolding of Institutions—Successive 
founding, growth and decay of ancient Monarchies—Ass 3 a’ia, Egypt, 
Greece, Rome—The permanent gain each contributed to human wel¬ 
fare—Greece embodies the intelligence, Rome the organizing power of 
mankind—The rise of modern nations—What thej^ inherit from the 
Ancients—Their new and higlier career—The Service of Great Men to 
Mankind—Greek philosophers, Aristotle, Socrates, Plato—Demosthenes, 
Cicero—Alexander, Caesar — Pompey, Brutus, Augustus—The Jews— 
Jesus CTirist—Influence of Christianity—The Situation when America 
was discovered. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 52 

Geographical ignorance of the Ancients—Columbus and his Ideas—His 
ditficulty in getting a hearing—Queen Isabella of Spain—Sets sail for 
the New World — Why he thought it Asia — Origin of the name 
America. 

CHAPTER III. 

HISTORY FROM 1492 TO 1763. 55 

Various Discoveries—Sir Humphrej^ Gilbert fails twice to establish a Col¬ 
ony—Sir Walter Raleigh—Settlements in Florida—Jamestown—Land¬ 
ing of the Puritans—Other Settlements—Liberal character of Colonial 
Governments—Colonies resist oppression—Indian Wars—French Wars 
—Training they give the Colonies—Capture of Louisburg—Braddock’s 
Defeat—Colonists as Soldiers. 

. ( 10 ) 







CONTENTS. 


11 


CHAPTEE lY. 

HISTORY-ORIGIN OF THE REVOLUTION. 66 

British resolve to tax Colonies—Folly of that measure—Resistance in the 
Colonies—British repeal the tax, BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT—Indig¬ 
nation in the Colonies—Taxes again tried—Soldiers sent to Boston— 
“ Boston Massacre ”—Tax on Tea—Colonies Organize against it—“ Bos¬ 
ton Tea Party’’—Philadelphia—Boston Port Bill—First Congress— 
“American Association”—Battle of Lexington—Second Congress— 
Siege of Boston—Bunker Hill—British driven out—Battles in Canada. 

CHAPTEE Y. 

FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION. 77 

History of the various stages of Union among the States—Adoption of the 
Articles of Confederation. 

CHAPTEE YI. 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 79 

Noble character of this Document—It speaks for all men and all times— 
The Declaration. 

CHAPTEE YII. 

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 85 

Full text of the Articles adopted in 1777, forming the Constitution for 12 
years. 

CHAPTEE YIII. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783 . 95 

Battle of Long Island—Silent retreat at night—Washington driven across 
the Delaware—His success in the Jerseys—Battles near Philadelphia— 
Surrender of Burgoyne—Treaty with the French—French fleet—British 
evacuate Philadelphia—Washington’s success again in the Jerseys— 
Southern War—Defeat of Gates—Treason of Arnold—Gen. Green and 
Cornwallis — Lafayette and Cornwallis — Surrender of Cornwallis at 
Yorktown — Review of the War — Financial Difficulties—Character of 
the People—Peace at Last! 

CHAPTEE IX. 

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 107 

The Constitutional Convention of 1787—Defects of the Articles of Confed¬ 
eration—Caution of Statesmen and the People—Result of the Conven¬ 
tion—Full text of the Constitution and Amendments. 








12 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. .129 

Names of Presidents of the Continental Congress—The various Seats of 
Government from 1774 to 1789. 


PART SECOND. 

PAGE. 

THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.130 

The Three Branches of the Government—Arrangement of this Work— 
Excellence of the Organization—Comparison of the United States with 
Mexico—With Ireland —Why it has prospered. 

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 
CHAPTER I. 

THE PRESIDENT.133 

His place in the Government—He is its active force—Conditions of birth, 
age, and residence—How he is elected—His powers and duties—List of 
all the Presidents. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT.138 

His position mainly honorary—His only duty—When he may become 

President—List of Vice-Presidents. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE CABINET.140 

Number and offices of members—Their duties—President’s will supreme— 
Their means of aiding him—The character and ability required. 

CHAPTER IV. 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE.143 

Title of chief officer—Conducts our Foreign business—Range of his 
duties—Qualifications required—Lists of Secretaries of State. 

CHAPTER V. 

OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS.147 

The dignity of their Official Character—The immunities it confers—Am¬ 

bassadors — Ministers Plenipotentiary — Ministers - Resident — Charge 
d’Affaires—Commissioners—The high abilities required in Foreign 
Ministers. 










CONTENTS. 


13 


CHAPTEK YL 

TREATIES EXTRADITION TREATIES. 150 

Nature of a Treaty—Its binding power—Has the force of Law—The Rus¬ 
sian Treaty in full—What Extradition Treaties are—What classes of 
criminals they apply to—Countries with which we have Extradition 
Treaties. 

CHAPTEE YU. 

BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES. 160 

Consuls and their duties—Their official character—Their number—Extra 


powers in Turkey, etc. 

CHAPTEE YIII. 

PASSPORTS. 162 

Their character—Their protective power—Who give them. 

CHAPTEE IX. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. 164 


Its importance—Secretary of the Treasury—Great extent of his depart¬ 
ment—Its thorough organization—The security of public funds—The 
various bureaus—List of Secretaries of the Treasury. 

CHAPTEE X. 

THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES. 167 

How government income is obtained—Duties—Internal Revenue —Diflfer- 
ence of views—Finance a study for the people. 

CHAPTEE XL 

DUTIES AND TARIFFS. 170 

Explanation of terms—Ease of raising revenue from Tariffs—Two kinds 
of Tariff—What is a Protective Tariff—Tonnage. 

CHAPTEE XII. 

COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 176 

Custom Houses—Their number and location—Officers and their duties— 
Their compensation—Revenue Cutters—Ship’s papers. 

CHAPTEE XIII. 

GOVERNMENT COINAGE. 182 

The Mint—Relations to the United States Treasury—Artistic skill—Coins 
—Assay offices—Their relation to commerce and to individuals. 










14 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEK XIY. 

NATIONAL BANKING. 187 

Relations of Currency to the Treasury—Government control of Banks and 
their issues—Security of Currency. 

CHAPTEK XY. 

FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES. 190 

Great resources of the country—Aggregate wealth of the people— 
Resources of the general government—Public lands—Mines—National 
wealth—The National Debt—Reasons for not paying it at once— Table 
of Statistics —Public Debt for every year—National Securities—Con¬ 
dition of debt Nov. 30th, 1873—Wealth of the States—Congressional 
appropriations, etc. 

CHAPTER XYI. 

WAR DEPARTMENT. 199 

Secretary of War—Organization of his department—Various Bureaus— 
List of Secretaries of War. 

CHAPTER XYIL 

THE U. S. ARMY. 202 

Its history shows great military ability — The peaceful policy of the 
country. 

CHAPTER XYIII. 

THE mLITART ACADEMY. 203 

Its object and location—The results secured. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

DEPOTS OF WAR MATERIAL. 206 

Armories and Arsenals—Their uses—Location—Officers. 

CHAPTER XX. 

ARTICLES OF WAR. 207 

Peculiar relations of military forces to civil government—Object of Arti¬ 
cles of War—Range and vigor of their provisions. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

MILITARY HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS. 208 

Their object—Their location—Their excellent management—Their success 
in the Civil War. 










CONTENTS. 


15 


CHAPTER XXII. 

NAYY DEPARTMENT.210 

Secretary of the Navy—His duties—Various Bureaus—List of Secretaries 
of the Navy. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 211 

The U. S. a commercial country—Gratifying success of the early navy— 
The importance of this arm to the country—Its value to us abroad— 
Number of U. S. vessels of war. 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

NAVY YARDS.217 

Their location and number—Materials and stores—Workshops and repairs. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THE NAVAL ACADEMY.217 

Its purposes, location and value. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY.219 

Dependence of Navigation on Astronomical Science — Value of Obser¬ 
vatory. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

COAST SURVEY.220 

Necessity of this work — Scientific accuracy — Value for commerce and 
defense. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

LIGHT HOUSES. ..... 222 

Why and where they are built—OtBcial Superintendence—Light Money. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL.224 

Objects of Privateering—Immorality and injustice of it, 

CHAPTER XXX. 

NAVY AND MARINE HOSPITAI^ ..226 

The purpose of those institutions—Their means of support—Their location. 











16 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE XXXL 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 227 

History of this department — Secretary of the Interior — Bureaus of the 
department—List of Secretaries. 

CHAPTEE XXXII. 

PUBLIC LANDS. 230 

How the government obtained them—What disposition is made of them— 
Land offices—Sale of Lands — Pre-emption — Bounty Lands — Home¬ 
steads—School Lands. 

CHAPTEE XXXIII. 

HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS . 234 

Pre-emption Laws—Land Warrants—Soldiers’ Homestead Laws—List of 
Land Offices. 


CHAPTEE XXXIV. 


PATENTS. 244 

Patent office—Commissioner of Patents—Mode of obtaining a Patent. 

CHAPTEE XXXV. 

PENSIONS. 247 


The object of Pensions—Pension office—Amount of Pensions—How paid 
—Pension Laws of various dates. 

CHAPTEE XXXVI. 

INDIAN AFFAIRS. 259 

Aboriginal inhabitants—Mode of acquiring their lands—Indian Policy— 
Reservations—Annuities — Agents — Indian Territory — Condition and 
number of Indians—Their probable extinction. 

CHAPTEE XXXVII. 

CENSUS BUREAU. 263 

How the census is taken—Value of census statistics—Tables of Population. 

CHAPTEE XXXVIII. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 265 

The objects of this department—Commissioner of Agriculture—Buildings 
and grounds—Extent of information collected and circulated — Value 
of this department. 











CONTENTS. 


IT 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

PCS'! OFFICE DEPARTMENT... 268 

Postmaster General — Various Bureaus — Extent of organization — Its 
remarkable vigor and success—List of Postmasters General. 


CHAPTEK XL. 

RATES OF POSTAGE. 273 

Letters—Papers—Packages—Foreign Rates. 

CHAPTEK XLI. 

REGIS^rERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 276 


Security of registered letters—Certainty of finding the thief—Description 
of the whole process—Pacts about dead letters. 


CHAPTEK XLII. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 280 

Why he is a cabinet officer—Range of his duties. 

CHAPTEK XLIII. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 282 


Object of the authors of the Constitution—Why Electors failed to meet 
their expectation—How they are elected and discharge their duties, 

CHAPTEK XLIY. 

HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON 


TO GRANT. 285 

CHAPTEK XLY. 

CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 298 


LEGISLATIYE DEPAKTMEXT. 
CHAPTEK XLYI. 

CONGRESS. 308 

Careful separation of the different branches of government—Powers and 
duties of Congress—Organization and powers of the Senate — Of the 
House of Representatives. 

CHAPTEK XLYII. 

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, CONGRESSMEN. 313 

Mode of electing Members of House of Representatives — Advantages of 
the district plan—Number of districts. 

2 











18 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XLVIII. 

CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. ..315 

The objects of the Libraiy—Who may use it—Duties of the Librarian. 

CHAPTER XLIX. 

COPYRIGHTS. 316 

The object of Copyrights—Mode of applying for them—Fees—Full direc¬ 
tions from the Librarian of Congress. 

CHAPTER L. 

PRESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 319 

Speaker of the House—How lie is chosen—President of the Senate—Their 
duties and powers—List of all the Speakers of the House. 

CHAPTER LI. 

SUBORDINATE OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 322 

Secretary of the Senate—Clerk of the House—Their duties—The Sergeant- 
at-Arms—The Doorkeeper—The Postmaster. 

CHAPTER LIE 

CONGRESSIONAL WORK. 323 

Mode of doing business in Congress—Organization—Bills—Committees— 
Reports — Connection of two Houses — President’s signature — Veto— 
Passing over the veto — Resolutions and their character — Amount of 
business done—Members of Congress and the People. 

CHAPTER LIII. 

PUBLIC PRINTING. 326 

How it was formerly done—Changes made—People should inform them¬ 
selves. 

CHAPTER LIY. 

SIGNAL SERVICE. 328 

Origin of Signal Service — Scientific and useful character — Mode of con¬ 
ducting it — School of Instruction—Grades of officers—Their duties— 
Number of Stations—Smithsonian Institution—Its Origin, Objects and 
Value. 

CHAPTER LY. 

REPORTS. 332 

Mode of doing Legislative and Executive business—Reports useful to fur¬ 
nish information—To facilitate business. 










CONTENTS. ^ <) 

CHAPTER LYI. 

IMPEACHMENTS. 334 

TV ho may be impeached—House of Representatives the Accuser— 
the Court. 

THE JUDICIAL DEPAETMENT .335 

Importance of this Department in our System—Constitution of the Depart- 
ment. 

CHAPTER LVII. 

THE SUPREME COURT.336 

The high range of its duties—Its original and appellate Jurisdiction—Its 

Judges—Their term of office—Officers of the Court—List of Supreme 
and Associate Justices. 

CHAPTER LYIII. 

CIRCUIT COURTS.339 

Their powers and uses—Circuits—Judges. 

CHAPTER LIX. 

DISTRICT COURTS.342 

Their jurisdiction—Appointment of Judges—Number of districts—Places 
of holding. 

CHAPTER LX. 

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME JURISDICTION.344 

Confined to naval affairs—Belongs to District Courts. 

CHAPTER LXI. 

COURT OF CLAIMS.345 

Where it sits—Object to relieve Congress—Advantages to claimants against 
government. 

CHAPTER LXII. 

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.347 

Business confided to them—Government lawyers. 

CHAPTER LXIII. 

UNITOD STATES MARSHALS ..348 

Where they are employed—Connection with census. 











20 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE LXIY. 

GRAND JURY. 349 

Admirable features of Grand Jury—Do not pronounce judgment—Security 
alibrded to reputation. 

CHAPTEE LXY. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 352 

General, State, County, and Municipal governments parts of a whole—No 
conflict—The harmonizing authority in the Supreme Court—How State 
governments are formed—Their powers—Modeled on the General Gov¬ 
ernment — Various Courts — Subdivisions — Counties— Towns— School 
districts—Minor divisions indispensable. 

CHAPTEE LXYI. 

INDIVIDUAL STATES. 355 

Circumstances of discovery of each — When and where settled — Facts in 
early history—The part each of the “ Old Thirteen” bore in the Revolu¬ 
tionary struggle—The Surface—Climate—Agriculture— Products—Min¬ 
eral Wealth—Prosperity—Area—Population in 1870 — Circuit and Dis¬ 
trict Courts—Number of Representatives in Congress—Ports of entry and 
delivery — Capital — Time of holding elections — Time of meeting of 
Legislature—Form of enacting clause—Complete list of United States 
Senators from each State. 


THE STATES. 

PAGE. 

THE STATES 

PAGE. 

Alabama. 

.405 

Missouri__ 

.409 

Arkansas.. 

..412 

Nebraska. 

.435 

California .. 

....423 

New Hampshire_ 

..375 

Connecticut.. 

..381 

New Jersey.. 

..377 

Delaware.. 

.383 

New York. 

.361 

Florida .. 

_414 

North Carolina_ 

.358 

Georgia__ 

..356 

Nevada__ 

...433 

Illinois... 

.403 

Ohio... 

..393 

Indiana. 

.398 

Oregon. 


Iowa.. 

.416 

Pennsylvania .. 

..364 

Kansas. 

.430 

Rhode Island. 


Kentucky. 

_389 

South Carolina. 

.370 

Louisiana. 

.395 

Tennessee. 

.391 

Maine. 

.407 

Texas . 

...419 

Maryland. 

..372 

Vermont. 

...387 

Massachusetts. 

.379 

Virginia. 

.-.367 

Michigan.. 

..410 

West Virginia. 

.432 

Minnesota. 

.426 

Wisconsin. 

.421 

Mississippi. 

.401 












































CONTENTS. 


21 


CHAPTER LXVII. 

MOTTOES AND NAMES OF THE OTATES. 437 

Mottoes translated—Origin and meaning of name—Familiar name, 

CHAPTEK LXVIII. 

THE NATIONAL DOMAIN. 440 


Public domain after the Revolutionary War—Various acquisitions of ter¬ 
ritory by the General Government — Character of a Territorial govern¬ 
ment— Organized by Congress — Appointment of officers — Territorial 
Legislature—When a State may be formed—Constitution to be approved 
by Congress—Admission may be vetoed by the President. 

CHAPTER LXIX. 

INDIVIDUAL TERRITORIES. 443 

Discovery and early history of each—When organized—Surface—Climate 
Agricultural and mineral resources—Future prospects and desirableness 


as a location—Area—Population 

in 1870. 


TEBRITORIBS. 

PAGE. 

TERRITORIES. 

PAGE, 

Alaska. 

.454 

Montana. 

.453 

Arizona. 

.451 

New Mexico. 

.443 

Colorado. 

.448 

Washington. 

..446 

Dakotah. 

.450 

Wyoming. 

....455 

District of Columbia 

.456 

Utah.. 

.445 

Idaho . 

.452 




CHAPTER LXX. 

THE ANNEXATION POLICY.. 457 

•Causes of increase of national area—A traditional policy—Importance of 
national unity—The Mexican War—Causes—Annexation of Territory— 
Excuses urged — We shall never do it again — Superior steadiness of 
American people—The probable future of annexation. 

CHAPTER LXXL 

CENSUS STATISTICS. 463 


PART THIRD. 

THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVEKNMENT. 

The government for the people alone—Early distrust of the masses and its 
causes—Embodied in the Federal party—Causes of its fall—Absorption 
of foreigners—Favorable results—Future of the people. 



















22 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE 1. 

SUFFRAGE AND CITIZENSHIP. 468 

Who are citizens—Advance in extent of suffrage—Who are voters—Citizens 
of States and of United States. 

CHAPTEE II. 

CITIZENS OF FOREIGN BIRTH.470 

Naturalization—Various steps in naturalization—Digest of laws. 

CHAPTEE III. 

ELECTIONS.473 

Who are entitled to vote for State officers — For United States officers — 
History of general elections—People obtain direct control. 

CHAPTEE lY. 

RATIO OF REPRESENTATION.475 

Changes with each census — Reason for it — Data—Present ratio and num¬ 
ber of Members of Congress. 

CHAPTEE Y. 

OATHS AND BONDS.480 

Reasons for them—“ Iron-clad oaths ”—Who give bonds—Amount of bonds 
required. 

CHAPTEE YI. 

GOVERNMENT PRISONS.483 

Vigor of the government — Mildness in punishment — Why it owns no 
prisons. 

CHAPTEE YIL 

PROCLAMATIONS.484 

Who make them—Their significance. 

CHAPTEE YIII. 

COMMISSIONERS . 486 

Various classes of officers of this name. 

CHAPTEE IX. 

OFFICIAL REGISTER.487 

Officers and salaries—When published—Where obtained. 











CONTENTS. 


23 


CHAPTEE X. 

THE UNITOD STATES FLAG..488 

Significance of the Flag—History of its origin—The “Star-Spangled Ban¬ 
ner ” and Ft. McHenry. 

CHAPTEE XI, 

THE GREAT SEAL.491 

Uses of Seals —How applied—Who keeps the Great Seal—History of the 
Great Seal—Jefferson, Adams, etc.—Failure of committees to please— 
Efforts of Secretary of Congress — Adams and the English Baronet — 

. Description of the Seal. 

CHAPTEE XII. 

THE ORIGIN OF LAW.494 

Origin of law in various kinds of government—In the U. S. all law springs 
from the People — The fundamental law — Legislative acts — Laws by 
Treaty—Universal law. 

CHAPTEE XIII. 

LAW OF NATIONS. 497 

Its origin—Standard authorities on International Law—How it is enforced 
—General features of Law of Nations—United States and England—A 
future Supreme Tribunal. 

CHAPTEE XIY. 

RELATION OF U. S. GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION.500 

Does not support religion — Shows respect to the sentiments of all its peo. 


pie—Consequent policy. 

CHAPTEE XY. 

CHAPLAINS. 502 

Why employed—No sect preferred—Salaries—Where employed. 

CHAPTEE XYI. 

COMPROMISES. 504 


Necessity of them from the commencement—Constitutional Compromise 
—Missouri Compromise of 1820^—Mason and Dixon’s Line — Compro¬ 
mises of 1850—Their failure brings on the Civil War. 

CHAPTEE XYII. 

TREASON. 508 

Defined by the Constitution—The punishment inflicted. 










24 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XYIIL 

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE U. S. 509 

Sectional divisions—Their disappearance—Circuit Courts—States—District 
Courts—Congressional Districts— Counties—Towns—School Districts. 

CIIAraER XIX. 

HISTORY OF THE U. S. FROM 1783 TO 1812.612 

Prostration of the country after tne war—Congress has no effective control 
of finances—Negligence of the States—Shay’s rebellion in Mass.—Vig¬ 
orous action of Gen. Lincoln—Virginia urges call of a Constitutional 
Convention—Meeting and result of the Convention—Last acts and dis¬ 
solution of Continental Congress—Washington’s first Administration— 
The rise of parties, Federal and Anti-federal — Washington’s second 
Administration — Difliculties with England — With France — Country 
prospers—Adams’ Administration—Naval war with France—Jefferson’s 
Administrations—Louisiana purchased—Increasing trouble with Eng¬ 
land—Madison’s Administrations—War declared. 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE WAR OF 1812.‘.526 

Causes of the war—Disasters in Canada—Successes on the sea—Barbarity 
of British and Indians—Incompetence of U. S. officers—Second Cam¬ 
paign—Brilliant naval successes—Mortification of the British—Political 
opposition to the war embarrasses the Government and encourages the 
enemy—Third Campaign an American success—Gen. Scott in Canada— 
Defeat of the British at Plattsburg, on Lake Erie; before Baltimore, at 
New Orleans. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

HISTORY FROM 1815 TO 1846.535 

Results of the war highly favorable to the U. S. — Gains respect abroad — 
Party bitterness subsides — Compromise of 1820 —Great prosperity — 
Florida Purchase—Monroe’s two Administrations—J. Q. Adams’ Admin¬ 
istration—Sections divide on the Tariff—Jackson’s two Administrations 
—Nullification of South Carolina —Jackson’s promptness—Seminole 
war—Van Buren’s Administration—Financial disasters—Harrison and 
Tyler—Admission of Texas—Election of Polk. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

THE MEXICAN WAR-FROM 1848 TO 1860.544 

Causes of the war—Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma—Taking 
of Monterey—Battle of Buena Vista—Gen. Scott in Mexico—His long 







CO JS TENTS. 


25 


succession of victories — Enters the City of Mexico—Treaty of Guada¬ 
lupe Hidalgo—Increase of territory—Discovery of gold in California— 
California applies for admission as a State—Raises the violent opposition 
of Slave States—Compromises of 1850—Taylor and Fillmore—Pierce’s 
Administration — Repeal of the Missouri Compromise—Troubles in 
Kansas — Buchanan’s Administration — Preparation for Secession — 
Growth of the Republican party. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CIVIL WAR.551 

Real causes of the Civil War—The elections of Nov., 1860—Made the pre¬ 
text for Secession—South Carolina Secedes—Forts and property of the 
government seized in the South—Southern States successively Secede— 
Southern Confederacy formed—Want of energy in the Administration— 
Inauguration of Lincoln—The Union to be defended. 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR.557 

Firing on Ft. Sumter—It electrifies the North—Call for troops—General 
mustering for war—Capture of Harper’s Ferry and Gosport Navy Yard, 
Fighting in the border States—Experience gained in the general skir¬ 
mishing—Reluctance to join the great issue—Battle of Bull Run— 
Washington saved, if the battle is lost—Immense preparations by sea 
and land—Confederate government in Richmond. 

CHAPTER XXY. 

SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR.564 

The large armies have acquired much discipline and experience—Move- • 
ment of McClellan on Richmond — Movement flanking Confederate 
positions on the upper Mississippi—Severe battles near Richmond— 
McClellan’s failure—Success in the West—The rising fortunes of Grant 
at Donnelson, Henry, and Pitttsburg Landing—Advance of Lee—Pope’s 
failure—Battles in Maryland — Lee’s retreat — Bragg’s advance and 
retreat—Battle of Fredericksburg—General results of the Campaign. 

CHAPTER XXYI. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1863 .570 

Emancipation proclamation—The year remarkable for the large number 
of engagements and formidable character of the operations Battle 
of Chancellorsville and advance of Lee into Penn. His defeat at 
Gettysburg and return to Va.—Capture of New Orleans Taking of 
Vicksburg—Defeat at Chickamauga retrieved by Grant—General results 
of the Campaign. 






26 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE XXVIL 

CAMPAIGN OF 1864 . 

Grant Lt. Gen.—Campaign of the Wilderness—Sherman in Georgia—Ope¬ 
rations on the Mississippi—Sherman’s “ March to the Sea ”—Defeat of 
Gen. Hood at Nashville—Repulse of Banks on the Red River—Opera¬ 
tions on the Coast—Lee shut up in Richmond and Petersburg — The 
situation at the close of the year. 

CHAPTEE XXYIII. 

CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN.581 

Results of Sherman’s march through Georgia and S. C.—Fall of Savannah 
and Charleston —Capture of Mobile and Ft. Fisher —Siege of Peters¬ 
burg—Re-inauguration of Lincoln—Discouragement in the South—Re¬ 
treat of Lee from Richmond — His capture — Sherman and Johnson — 
Assassination of the President—General Data of the Strength and 
Losses on each side—After the War—Reconstruction Policy. 

CHAPTEE XXIX. 

HISTOET FEOM 1865 TO 1874.586 

Disbanding of the army—Prosperity of the country in spite of its expen¬ 
ditures and losses — President Johnson’s contest with Congress — His 
impeachment and its failure—Election of Grant—Paying off the debt— 
The Pacific Railroad—The Patrons of Husbandry—Death of prominent 
men— Grant’s re-election— Investigations— Salary law and its repeal — 
Financial panic — Extraordinary growTh of Patrons of Husbandry — 
General reforms—Death of Charles Sumner—Veto of the Inflation Law. 

CHAPTEE XXX. 

PARLIAMENTARY RULES.598 

Rules of the U. S. Congress the Standard—Based on “Jefferson’s Manual 
—They illustrate American character—Must be known to public men— 
To comprehend proceedings in Congress — Number of Rules in the 
House, the Senate, and Joint Rules—Rules of the House in full. 

CHAPTEE XXXI. 

STATISTICS OF THE WORLD.620 

Square miles embraced in every country — Population by latest Census — 
Capitals—Form of government—Statistics of Religions — Summary of 
facts. 







CONTENTS. 


27 


PART FOURTH. 

LEGAL FACTS AND FOEMS. 

BY JUDGE J. C. POWER, OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA. 

CHAPTEE I. 

LEGAL FORMS. 62-1: 

Form and directions for making a Will—Witness to Signature of a Will— 
Full form of agreement for a Co-partnership—Form of continuing or 
dissolving Co-partnership—A legal Agreement—The Sale of Personal 
Property—Sale of Real Estate—Directions and Models of Leases, Deeds, 
Mortgages, Notes of all kinds. Due Bills and Receipts. 

CHAPTEE II. 

LEGAL FACTS. 63S 

Laws concerning Inheritance—Rights of a Widow—Of Children—Of Pa¬ 
rents — Of distant relations—Property protected from attachment and 
sale—When property may be attached and sold for taxes—Laws for the 
redemption of real estate sold for taxes — Prosecutions — Interest and 
Usury—The Statute of Fraud. 




PART FIRST. 


HISTORICAL FACTS FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD 
TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION 
OF THE UNITED STATES. 


It is often useful and interesting to trace the leading events 
of history, from the first appearance of man in the world, as 
related in sacred story, down through the long, dim ages which 
form the twilight of humanity in more than one respect, into 
that bright and promising early daylight when pious David 
and wise Solomon reigned in Israel, and the foundations of 
graceful, classic Greece and conquering Home were laid, 
through the dismal clouds that spread over the ruins of one 
after another of these civilizing nations, while Christianity 
alone preserved society from complete chaos; to the modern 
period when the clouds dispersed, the mists cleared away, and 
religion and learning united to complete the work of civiliza¬ 
tion, and science, art, and liberty, each and all, contributed to 
construct for society a new and better basis. 

All history is related. The parent transmits his leading 
qualities, to a considerable extent, to the child; and each gene¬ 
ration and century may be called the parent of the one that 
follows. It is pleasant to trace the improvement in men and 
institutions through history, in the past, down to the American 

(28) 



HISTORICAL FACTS. 


29 


Constitution. Of this we are justly proud, since it gives to 
every man an equal chance to make the most of himself, and 
to seek happiness in his own way, so that he does not abridge 
the rights of others. It seems clear to us that the Declaration 
of Independence proves itself. But it took near five thousand 
eight hundred years to make men capable of producing such a 
statement of human rights. If we can read and observe the 
direction of events correctly, we shall see that the Footprints 
of Time—though they do not always follow a straight line, but 
meander now this way and now that, like a brook in a meadow-— 
follow a general direction, and that direction always toward the 
North American continent. This venerable personage (Time) 
has seemed inclined to stop awhile among us, refresh himself, 
and make a new departure ; for since our government was 
founded we have developed to an extent quite incomprehen¬ 
sible to other countries, and rather beyond our own ability to 
fully appreciate. So we have three reasons for inserting this 
series of Historical Facts in the beginning of our book: first, 
convenience of occasional reference; second, the indications it 
furnishes of the gradual progress of nations; and third, the 
traces of a Purpose in history to make our country the seat of 
institutions of the highest order and usefulness. 

1. The history of institutions before the Flood is very 
briefly and obscurely given in the only narrative we possess 
of that period—the Bible. Such indications as are there fur¬ 
nished imply that patriarchal government was universal. This 
is always an unlimited control by the natural head of the 
family. Men lived to an astonishingly great age, and we may 
suppose that each original patriarch in the course of centuries 
saw various communities or families multiplying around him, 
each son becoming a patriarch in his turn, and giving rise to 
other families in his descendants, all owning allegiance to the 
eldest of the family, whose authority grew more remote and 
rare in its exercise out of his immediate vicinity as the branches 
of his race increased, but whose will was absolute law when he 
chose to exercise it. Having, however, no organized plan or 


30 


HISTORICAL FACTS. 


instruments of government, he would be, for the most part, 
hut a theoretical and honorary head. This would seem to favor 
the excessive corruption of manners and morals that, we are 
told, in the course of 1650 years required the destruction of 
mankind and the cleansing of the earth by the Deluge. 

2. The vigor of constitution formerly belonging to men 
seems to have decayed about this time, and the ambition to 
rule over large bodies of men began to rise above the restraints 
of the Patriarchal System; probably encouraged to throw oif 
that yoke by a conscious need of organization and unity of 
action. Within 130 years after the Deluge the monarchies of 
Egypt and Assyria were founded, which became centers of 
power on adjacent continents. They set the example, and kings 
began to reign in the multitude of cities that soon covered the 
earth. The love of extensive dominion grew slowly. Egypt 
was not much inclined to conquest out of its own immediate 
neighborhood, and for some hundreds of years a multitude of 
kings reigned in the numerous cities of the east, who divided 
their authority with the patriarchs of the pastoral regions. 
Gradually ambition in the ruler of some more populous city 
led to his subjecting his nearer and weaker kingly brethren to 
his sway. This introduced combinations or confederacies such 
as we find in the time of Abraham. 

3. Changes were slow, and it was some hundreds of years 
before Assyria came to exert much infiuence at a distance. 
Meanwhile the germ of the later and better known kingdoms 
began to appear. Isaac was about thirty years old when the 
first kingdom was founded in Greece, that of Argos; and ten 
years later Shem, one of the sons of Noah, who had known 
the world beyond the Deluge, was gathered to his fathers. 
Three hundred and ten years later Jacob had lived and died; 
Athens, afterward the home of learning, liberty, and the grace¬ 
ful arts, had been founded; and Joseph, the purest and most 
interesting character of those distant times, had just ended his 
romantic career — dying as we would wish a hero who had 
sufiered and conquered by his virtue and wisdom to die—sur- 


HISTORICAL FACTS. 


31 


rounded with the honors and homage of a grateful people; and 
Moses, the great lawgiver of the Jews, was approaching man¬ 
hood. 

It was still eight hundred years to the founding of Rome, 
and the commencement of authentic history in Greece. Tyre, 
Egypt, and Nineveh were, at the expiration of this period, at 
the height of their glory. The intelligent Greeks were dili¬ 
gently studying the institutions and gathering up the learning 
of these elder nations, and preparing for their own golden era. 
The thousand years from the death of Joseph to the destruc¬ 
tion of Nineveh—the hrst of the ancient monarchies to run 
its race, decay and disappear—includes the twilight, the roman¬ 
tic and fabulous period of profane history. The habit of 
observation was just awakening, and everything new and 
strange was a miracle to the excited imagination which could 
give no reasonable account of it. It was more than three 
thousand years after the Creation that men began to master 
their childish wonder, learn the true lesson of life, and store 
up their wisdom and experience for the use of the future. 

Only on Judea does the steady, certain light of history shine 
during this long period. While Rome is organizing its young 
state for the conquest of the world, and Greece is ripening its 
philosophers and artists, the Jews are learning in captivity to 
abandon idolatry; Babylon has grown great and splendid on 
the ruins of Assyria, and is about to give place to the more 
glorious and powerful monarchy of Persia. Thus a succession 
of organizations, each inheriting the wealth and wisdom of its 
predecessors, produces a richer fruit, an additional experience, 
and a higher wisdom; and, having served its purpose, gives 
place to a successor who inherits all its possessions that are 
worth saving, and proceeds to make new accumulations, to be 
transmitted in like manner to enrich the future. 

About the year 500 before Christ Jerusalem is destroyed by 
Nebuchadnezzar, Solon is giving laws to Athens, Carthage is 
rising to greatness by its commerce, and Tyre and Egypt are 
approaching their end as independent States. History now 


32 


HTSTOKICAL FACTS. 


becomes reliable and detailed, and, the long period of prepara¬ 
tion past, events of great interest and magnitude follow with 
comparative rapidity. Within 350 years from this time the 
Persian kingdom has nearly run its race. Home is fully launched 
on its career of conquest, having learned to defeat the Cartha¬ 
ginians on their special battle field, the sea, and being now in 
the midst of the first Punic War, while in Greece the great 
men, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who taught men to think 
and reason, and laid the foundations of science, had been born, 
given a permanent impulse to the intelligence of humanity, 
and passed away. Philosophy and art now began to produce 
the splendid and graceful creations that have come down to us 
in fragments, and that have awakened the wonder and admira¬ 
tion of all after times. Alexander the Great had conquered the 
world of the east and died. His conquest of Persia spread 
Greek learning throughout that region, and gave great expan¬ 
sion to the intellectual activity of the period. 

Soon after, Hannibal showed how useless were the great 
abilities of a general when opposed by the patient and deter¬ 
mined resolution of a united nation, and Carthage fell before 
the persistent vigor of the Romans. The descendants of Alex¬ 
ander, undertaking the support of rebels against Rome, pro¬ 
voked the conquest of Greece by that resolute people, and 
Greece avenged itself by conquering Rome intellectually, and 
joining her own mental culture with the vigorous organizing 
ability of her mistress. The East and West joined hands; 
Europe and Asia came under the control of one system of 
laws and institutions, and wherever the Roman armies went 
Greek learning followed. Christianity now came to add its 
high and pure moral code to the maxims of philosophy and to 
commence the regeneration of humanity. Rome became too 
corrupt to exist as a republic, and Caesar and his successor, 
Augustus, established the Empire; while Pompey and Brutus 
vainly endeavored to turn back the tide of events, assisted by 
all the eloquence of Cicero. This great man among the 
Romans, as Demosthenes among the Greeks, had the misfor- 


HISTORICAL FACTS. 


33 


tune to live at the epoch when the republican institutions of 
his country were ready to give place to monarchical power. 
They raised their eloquent voices in favor of liberty, which 
were destined to find no echo in their own generations. Yet 
their impassioned words, their glowing appeals to patriotism, 
and their forcible arguments for liberty re-echoed down the 
pathway of history—not in vain. Other generations and peo¬ 
ples heard, and were stimulated to high and noble deeds. 

The Roman Empire, after completing the conquest of the 
civilized world, establishing everywhere the best institutions 
the world then knew, and imparting to all these countries the 
best wisdom of the times, together with the useful and fruitful 
seed of Christianity, and subjugating barbarous nations in 
various directions, lost its vigor and broke down with the 
weight of its own cumbrous organization. It had served an 
important purpose in the plan of human education and devel¬ 
opment. All that was of permanent value was harvested, so 
to speak, and stored away for future use, and the remainder 
decayed to enrich the soil out of which modern institutions 
were to spring. While this process of decay continued, and 
during the first stages of the new era that succeeded, all was 
apparent confusion and ruin. We are accustomed to call this 
period of several centuries “ The Dark Ages,” for learning and 
civilization seemed lost. Yet nothing was destroyed that it 
was best to preserve. 

The laws, learning and arts of Greece and Rome took shelter 
in the sanctuaries of Christianity, and outlived the general 
wreck. This young and powerful system, though it had too 
slight a hold on the masses and institutions of the Roman 
Empire to regenerate them at once, became the center and ral¬ 
lying point of the new organizations, and of a higher and purer 
civilization. It gave Mohammed his best ideas, which accom¬ 
plished good notwithstanding he yoked them with the license 
of war and debauchery. Heaven-born truth must appear 
imperfect when translated and embodied by ignorant and 
imperfect men ; and the Christianity of the first thousand 
3 


34 


HISTORICAL FACTS. 


years after the Fall of the Komau Empire was far from being 
a good statement of tlie teachings of Christ; but the Keforma- 
tion of the 16th century gave it a new and better rendering, 
and at the same time the forces that had been silently at w^ork 
since the decay of the ancient institutions suddenly asserted 
themselves, and a reconstruction in every department of life 
commenced. 

The activity that had been expended on crusades and the 
practice of chivalry was turned to discovery and colonization; 
the imperfect philosophy of Aristotle and Plato gave place to 
true science; the aristocratic republics of Greece and Rome 
were improved upon by Switzerland and the ^Netherlands; the 
simplicity and purity of the early Christian Church was 
revived; the art of printing came to the aid of revived learn¬ 
ing and more exact studies in science and art, and improved 
methods and institutions everywhere began to take the place 
of the old. This new condition was still struggling with the 
old, and gaining ground but slowly, when a Virgin Continent 
was discovered, and furnished a fairer field on which to work 
out the new civilization. Hither flocked a certain part of the 
more enlightened and resolute reformers, and a better day 
dawned for humanity. A better style of manhood and a 
comparatively perfect State were to be developed in the New 
World. 


CHAPTER I. 


FOOTPEINTS OF TIME. 

[B. C.=Before Christ. A. D.=The Year of our Lord. 

B.C. 

4004— The Creation. 

3874—Seth, the son of Adam, born. 

3769—Enos, the son of Seth, born. 

3679—Cainan, the son of Enos, born. 

3609—^Mahaleel, the son of Cainan, born. 

3544—Jared, the son of Mahaleel, born. 

3382—Enoch, the son of Jared, born. 

3317—Methuselah, the son of Enoch, born. 

3130—Lamech, the son of Methuselah, born. 

3074—Adam, the father of mankind, died, sdt. 930. 
3017—Enoch translated to heaven. 

2962.—Seth, the son of Adam, died, aet. 912. 

2948—Hoah, the son of Lamech, born. 

2864—Enos, the son of Seth, died, set. 905. 

2769—Cainan, the son of Enos, died, aet. 910. 

2714—Mahaleel, the son of Cainan, died, aet. 895. 

2582—Jared, the son of Mahaleel, died, aet. 962. 

2464—The Deluge foretold to ISToah. 

2448—Japhat, the son of Noah, born. 

2446—Shem, the second son of Noah, born. 

2353—Lamech, the son of Methuselah, died, aet. 777. 
2348—Methuselah, the son of Enoch, died, aet. 969. 
2348— The Great DeViLge. 

2346—Arphaxad, the son of Shem, born. 

( 35 ) 


36 


FOOTPEINTS OF IIME. 


2311—Salali, the son of Arphaxad, born. 

2281—Heber, the son of Salah, born. 

2247—Phaleg, the son of Heber, born. 

2234—The Tower of Babel built. 

2217—lieu, the son of Phaleg, born. 

2216—Assyrian and Egyptian monarchies founded. 

2185—Serug, the son of Pue, born. 

2155—Nahor, the son of Serug, born. 

2126—Terah, the son of Nahor, born. 

2056—Haran, the son of Terah, born. 

1998—Noah, the second father of mankind, died, set. 950. 

1996—Abram, the son of Terah, born. 

1921— The Calling of Abraham. 

1910—Ishmael, the son of Abraham, born. 

1897—Institution of circumcision. Sodom destroyed. 

1889—Isaac, the son of Abraham, born. 

1856—Kingdom of Argos founded. 

1846—Shem, the son of Noah, died, set. 600. 

1836—Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac, born. 

1821—Abraham, the son of Terah, died, set. 175. 

1759—Jacob removes to Mesopotamia. 

1738—Jacob returns to Canaan. 

1728—Joseph sold and carried to Egypt. 

1716—Isaac, the son of Abraham, died, set. 180. 

1706—Jacob and his family settle in Egypt. 

1699—Jacob, the son of Isaac, died, set. 147. 

1635—Joseph, the Viceroy of Egypt, died, set. 110. 

1571—Moses, the son of Amram, born in Egypt. 

1556—Athens founded by Cecrops. 

1491— The Exodus of Israel. The giving of the law. 

1453—The Olympic Games founded. 

1451—Moses, the lawgiver of Israel, died, set. 120. 

1450—The conquest of Canaan begun by Joshua. 

1443—Joshua, the conqueror of Canaan, died, set. 110. 

1413—Cushan-Bishathaim, King of Mesopotamia, reduces 
Israel. 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


37 


1405—Othniel delivers Israel from the Mesopotamians. 
1352— Corinth founded. 

1343—Eglon, King of Moab, reduces Israel. 

1325—Ehud delivers Israel from the Moabites. 

1824—Khamses I., King of Egypt. 

1285—Jabin, King of Razor, reduces Israel. 

1273—Kise of the Assyrian power. 

1265—Deborah and Barak deliver Israel. 

1263—The Argonautic Expedition. 

1252—The Midianites subdue Israel. 

1245—Gideon delivers Israel. 

1205—The Philistines and Ammonites subdue Israel. 
1193—Commencement of the Trojan war. 

1187—Jephthah delivers Israel. 

1184—Capture of Troy by the Greeks. 

1156—The Philistines again subdue Israel. 

1117—Samson, the defender of Israel, died. 

1116—War between Israel and the Philistines. 

1102—The founding of Sparta. i 

1095—Saul, the first King of Israel. 

1062—Goliah, the Philistian giant, slain by David. 

1057—Samuel, the prophet, died, set. 98. 

1055—Saul died. David, King of Israel. 

1023—The rebellion and death of Absalom. 

1014—David died. Solomon, King of Israel. 

1003—Dedication of Solomon’s Temple. 

976—Solomon died. Revolt of the Ten Tribes. 

971—Jerusalem plundered by Shishak, King of Egypt. 
920—Hesiod, the Greek poet, flourished. 

896—Translation of Elijah, the prophet. 

886—Homer, the epic poet of Greece, flourished. 

878—Carthage founded by Dido. 

780—Jonah, Amos, and Hosea prophesied. 

776—Commencement of the Olympic era. 

758—Syracuse built. Isaiah prophesied. 

753 —Roms founded. 


38 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


747—Era of Nabonassar. Nineveh captured. 

734—Bocchoris, the Wise, King of Egypt. 

730—Shalmaneser, King of Assyria. 

724—Gyges, King of Lydia. 

721—Samaria taken by the Assyrians. Ten Tribes expatriated. 
714—Sabaco I., King of Ethiopia, in Egypt. 

710—Sargon, King of Assyria, took Ashdod. 

690—Tehrak, (Tirhaka) in Egypt. 

686—Ardys, King of Lydia. 

664—Psammetichus I., King of Egypt. 

658—Byzantium founded. 

632—Cyaxares, King of Media, attacked Nineveh. 

625—Alyattes, King of Lydia. Nabopolassar, of Babylonia, 
and Cyaxares, of Media, destroyed Nineveh. 

610—Necho, King of Egypt. 

606—Destruction of Nineveh. 

604—Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylonia. 

598—First taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. 

594—Solon, Archon of Athens. 

588—Capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and Jews 
carried captives to Babylon. 

585—Nebuchadnezzar took Tyre. 

580—Copper money coined at Rome. 

572—Tyre captured by Nebuchadnezzar. 

569—Amasis, King of Egypt 

559—Founding of the Persian empire by Cyrus. 

554—Daniel delivered from the lions. 

539—Marseilles built by the Phoceans. 

538—Babylon annexed to Persia. Jews allowed to return 
from Babylonia. 

529—Death of Cyrus. 

525—Egypt conquered by Cambyses. 

522—Death of Cambyses. 

515—Second Temple dedicated, Jerusalem. 

510—Expulsion of the Tarquins. Rome a republic. 

508—Thrace subdued by Darius Hystaspes. 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


39 


500—Sardis burnt bj tlie revolted Greeks of Asia Minor. 

494—Establishment of the tribunate at Kome. 

490— Battle of Marathon. 

485—Death of Darius. 

484—Egypt reconquered by the Persians. 

480—Xerxes invaded Greece. Battles of Thermopylae and 
Salamis. Persians burned Athens. 

479—Battles of Plataea and Mycale. Persians evacuated Greece. 
468—Death of Aristides. Birth of Socrates. 

466—Persians defeated by Cimon. 

465—Death of Xerxes. 

458—Cincinnatus dictator at Borne. 

454—Walls of Jerusalem rebuilt by Xehemiah. 

449—Decernvirate at Borne. Appius Claudius. 

443—Herodotus emigrated to Tliurium. 

431—Outbreak of the Peloponnesian war. 

429—Death of Pericles. Birth of Plato. 

406—Battle of ^Egospotamos. 

404—Athens taken by Lysander. Death of Alcibiades. 

401—Battle of Cunaxa. Death of Cyrus the younger. Be- 
treat of Xenophon. 

399—Death of Socrates. 

384—Birth of Aristotle. 

382—Borne burnt by Brennus. 

371—Epaminondas defeated the Lacedaemonians at Leuctra. 
362—Battle of Mantinea. Death of Epaminondas. 

359—Philip, Bing of Macedon. 

356—Birth of Alexander. Temple of Diana, at Ephesus, burnt. 
351—Bevolt of Phoenicia against Persia. Siege and destruc¬ 
tion of Sidon. 

348—Death of Plato. 

338—Battle of Chaeronea. 

336—Philip assassinated. Alexander succeeded. 

335—Destruction of Thebes. 

334—Alexander marched into Asia. Battle of the Granicus. 


4:0 FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 

333—Darius defeated near Issus. Damascus taken. Tjre 
besieged. 

332—Fall of Tyre. (Alexandria Founded.) 

331—Battle of Arbela. 

330—Darius killed by Bessus. 

327—Alexander invaded India. 

323— Death of Alexander. His empire divided. 

322—Romans humiliated by the Samnites at the Caudine 
forks. Death of Demosthenes and Aristotle. 

318—Death of Phocion. 

315—Thebes rebuilt. 

312—Commencement of the era of Seleucus 
306—Demetrius Poliorcetes vanquished Ptolemy. 

301—Battle of Ipsus, in Phrygia. 

300—Seleucus Kicator built Antioch, Edessa, and Laodicea. 
288—The Colossus of Rhodes completed. 

280—Pyrrhus defeated Valerius Laevinus at Heraclea. 

270—Hiero II., King of Syracuse. Death of Epicurus. 

265—Commencement of the Punic wars. 

256—The Carthaginian fleet defeated near Ecnomus. 

241—End of the first Punic war. 

235—The temple of Janus closed for the first time since 
Kuma. 

231—Subjugation of Sardinia and Corsica by Rome. 

227—Earthquake at Rhodes The Colossus thrown down. 

219—Hannibal took Saguntum. Second Punic war. 

218—Hannibal crossed the Alps. Defeated the Romans on 
the Ticinus and Trebia. 

216—Battle of Cannae. Hiero of Syracuse died. 

215—Chinese wall erected against the Tartars. 

212—Syracuse taken by Marcellus. Death of Archimedes. 
206—Dynasty of Han, in China. 

204—Scipio entered Africa. Defeated the Carthaginians. 

203—Hannibal recalled to Africa. 

202—Battle of Zama and defeat of Hannibal. 

201—Carthage subdued. End of the second Punic war. 


FCKXrPRINTS OF TIME. 


41 


197—Victory of Cyiioscepliala3 over Philip. 

190—Antioclius the Great routed by the Romans at Magnesia. 
183—Death of Hannibal, Scipio, Philopoeinen, and Plautus. 
171—Third Macedonian war. 

170—Jerusalem taken by Antioclius Epiphanes. 

168—^milius Paulus defeated Perseus, of Macedon, at Pydna. 
167—Revolt of the Jews against the King of Syria. 

160—Judas Maccabseus fell in a battle against Bacchides. 

Death of H^milius Paulus. 

149—Third Punic war. 

146—Fall and destruction of Carthage. Mummius took 
Corinth. 

140—Viriathus, the Lusitanian, assassinated. 

133—Scipio reduced Humantia. Agrarian troubles in Rome. 

Tiberius Gracchus slain. 

121—Cains Gracchus slain. 

107—Marius, first consul, sent against Jugurtha, of Humidia. 
106—Jugurtha prisoner of Sylla. Birth of Cicero. 

105—Manillus and Caepio defeated by the Cimbri and Teu- 
tones. 

102—Marius totally defeated the Teutones at Aquae Sextia? 

(Aix). 

101—Cimbri routed by Marius. 

100—End of the first servile war. Birth of Julius Caesar. 

90—Revolt of the Italian States. 

88—Mitlirrdatic war. 

86—Death of Marius. 

83—Sylla appointed dictator. 

79—Sylla retired into private life. 

77—Civil war of Sertorius in Spain, and of Lepidus and 
Catulus in Italy. 

73—Mithridates routed by Lucullus. 

72—Spartacus defeated two consuls and Qu. Arrius. 

71—Defeat and death of Spartacus. 

66—Pompey defeated Mithridates. 

64—Pompey at Jerusalem. 


42 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


63— Death of Mithridates. Cicero consul. 

62—Catiline defeated and slain at Pistoria. 

60—Juliiis Cjesar, Pompey, and Crassus form the first tri¬ 
umvirate. 

56—Gaul conquered. 

55—Caesar crossed the Rhine, and invaded Britain. 

54—Second invasion of Britain. 

53— Defeat and death of Crassus. 

49— Caesar crossed the Rubicon. 

48—Battle of Pharsalia. Death of Pompey. Library of 
Alexandria burned. 

47—Caesar made dictator; subdued Egypt. Pharnaces slain. 
46—War in Africa. Death of C^o at Utica. Carthage and 
Corinth rebuilt. Reform of the calendar. 

45—Battle of Munda ; last victory of Caesar. 

44—Caesar assassinated. Succeeded by Augustus. 

43—Death of Cicero. 

42—Battle of Philippi. Death of Brutus and Cassius. 

39—Herod the Great, King of Judea. 

31—Battle of Actium. 

30—Death of Antony and Cleopatra. Egypt a Roman 
province. 

12—Drusus in Germany. 

4— ‘Birth of Jesits Christ at Bethlehem. 

A. D. 

9—Q. Varus and his army cut to pieces by the Germans. 
14—Death of Augustus. Accession of Tiberius. 

29-—Crucifixion of our Saviour. 

37—Caligula, Emperor ol Rome. 

41—Claudius, Emperor of Rome. 

50— London founded by the Romans. 

54— Hero, Emperor of Rome. 

64— Rome on fire six days. 

66—Rebellion of the Jews. 

69— Vespasian, Emperor of Rome. 

70— Titus captured Jerusalem. 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


43 


Titus, Emperor. Pompeii and Herculaneum destroyed. 
81—Domitian, Emperor of Rome. 

98—Trajan, Emperor of Rome. 

117—Hadrian, Emperor of Rome. 

131—Second Jewish war. 

135—The war terminated. Death of Bar Cokeba. 

138—Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome. 

151—Christian persecutions forbidden. 

161—Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome. 

164—Christian persecutions renewed. 

171—Marcus Aurelius on the banks of the Danube. 

174—Victory over the Quadi. 

178—Christianity preached in Britain. 

180—Commodus, Emperor of Rome. 

191—Great fire at Rome. 

193—Septimus Severn s. Emperor of Rome. 

211—Caracalla, Emperor of Rome. 

218—Heliogabalus, Emperor of Rome. 

222—Alexander Severus, Emperor of Rome. 

226—Overthrow of the Parthian empire. 

235—Maximin, Emperor of Rome. 

249— Revolt of Roman legions. Decius, Emperor of Rome. 

250— Persecution of Christians. 

258— Trebizond taken by the Goths. 

259— The thirty tyrants. 

260— Rondan army routed by Sapor, King of the Persians. 
262—The Goths burned the temple of Diana. Antioch pil¬ 
laged by the Persians. 

269— The Goths defeated by Claudius. 

270— Aurelian, Emperor of Rome. 

273—Surrender of Palmyra. Queen Zenobia prisoner. 

277—Probus defeated the Alemanni. 

284—Diocletian, Emperor of Rome. 

297—Siege of Alexandria. 

303—Persecution of Christians. 

305—Diocletian resigned. 


44 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


306— Constantine the Greats Emperor of Rome. 

313—Edict of Milan in favor of Christians. 

325—First Council of Nice. 

357—Julian defeated the Alemanni at Strasbourg. 

362— Julian invaded Assyria. 

363— Julian fell in a battle against the Persians. 

375—Huns in Europe. Commencement of the great migra¬ 
tion. 

378— Yalens defeated by the Goths. 

379— Theodosius, Emperor of Eome. 

395—Division of the empire. Honorius and Arcadius, Em¬ 
perors. 

402—Alaric invaded Italy. 

410—Eome sacked by Alaric. 

425—Yalentinian III., Emperor of Eome. 

429—Genseric in Africa. 

439— Eomans and Huns defeated by the Yisigoths at Tou¬ 

louse. 

440— Yandals invaded Sicily. 

447—Theodosius concluded a humiliating treaty with the 
Huns. 

449—Anglo-Saxons in Britain. 

451— Attila invaded Gaul; defeated at Chalons. Theodoric 

slain. 

452— Attila invaded Italy. 

455—Eome plundered by the Yandals. 

472—Eicimer sacked Eome. 

476—Odoacer overthrew the western empire, 

486—Clovis’s victory at Soissons. 

493—Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, in Italy. 
507—The Yisigoths defeated by Clovis. 

527—Justinian I., Emperor of the East. 

534—Belisarius conquered the Yandals in Africa. 

546— Eome taken by Totila. 

547— Eome retaken by Belisarius. 

549—Eome again captured by Totila. 


FOOTPRIN^rS OF TTMF. 


45 


553—The kingdom of the Ostrogoths in Italy at an end. 

568—Kingdom of Lombardy founded. 

578—Slavonians in Greece. 

591—Chosroes II., Shah of Persia. 

614—Damascus and Jerusalem taken by the Persians. 

622—Flight of Mohammed to Medina. Era of the Hegira. 
632—Death of Mohammed. 

634—Persia conquered by the Saracens. 

637—Saracens took Jerusalem. 

640—Alexandria taken by the Saracens. 

653—Phodes taken by the Saracens. 

687—Pepin, sole mayor of the palace in France. 

698—Saracens stormed and destroyed Carthage. 

710—The Mohammedans landed in Spain. 

712—Tarik subdued Spain. 

717—Leo III., Emperor of the East. 

732—The Saracens defeated at Tours. 

752—Pepin, the Short, ascended the throne of the Franks. 
771—Charlemagne, sole monarch of France. 

774—Charlemagne visited Pome; subdued Lombardy. Death 
of the caliph, A1 Mansoor. 

778—Battle of Poncesvalles. Commencement of the age of 
chivalry. 

786— Accession of Haroun al Paschid. 

787— First descent of the Danes on England. 

796—Saracens driven out of France. 

799— Huns conquered. 

800— Charlemagne, Emperor of the West. 

803—Death of Irene, Empress of the East. 

809—Death of Haroun al Paschid, 

814—Death of Charlemagne. Accession of Louis I., le De- 
bonnaire. 

827—The Saxon heptarchy united under Egbert. 

836—Egbert succeeded by Ethelwulf. 

840—Piast, King of Poland. 

843—Treaty of Verdun. Division of the Carlovingian empire. 


46 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


856—Ethelbald, King of Wessex. 

860—Etbelbert succeeded Ethelbald. 

862—Kurik in Kussia. 

866—Ethelred I. 

871— Accession of Alfred the Great. 

872— London taken bj the Danes. 

880—Svatopluk in Moravia. 

884—Almos elected chief of the Magyars. 

886— Paris besieged by the Danes. 

887— Arpad succeeded Almos. 

901—Edward, the Elder- 

911—Conrad I., elective King of Germany. 

919—Henry I., King of Germany. 

925—Edward succeeded by Athelstan. 

936— Otho I., King of Germany. 

937— Athelstan and Edmund defeated the Scots, Irish, and 

Danes. 

940—Edmund succeeded Athelstan. 

946—Edmund assassinated. Edred succeeded. 

955—Edwy succeeded Edred. The Magyars defeated on the 
Lech. 

959—Edgar, King of Wessex and Mercia. 

962—Otho I., Roman Emperor. 

973—Accession of Otho II. in Germany. 

975—Antioch recovered from the Saracens. 

975—Edward, the Martyr. 

978—Edward assassinated. Ethelred, the Unready, succeeded. 
983—Otho III., King of Germany. 

987—^The house of Capet in France. 

994—Olaf Tryggvason, King of Korway, and Swein, King 
of Denmark, attacked London, but were repulsed. 

1000— Stephen I. received the royal crown of Hungary from 

the Pope. 

1001— America discovered by Biorn and Leif, two Icelanders. 

1002— Massacre of Danes in England. Accession of Henry 

II. in Germany. 


iOOTPKINTS OF TIME. 


47 


1006—The Danes laid England waste. 

1014—Danes defeated at Clontarf bj Brian Boroimlie. Acces¬ 
sion of Henry III. in Germany. 

1016—Edmund Ironsides. Canute, King of England. 

1024—Accession of Conrad II. in Germany. 

1035—Harold Harefoot, King of England. 

1040—Harold succeeded by Hardicanute. 

1042—^The Saxon line restored by Edward, the Confessor. 

1046—^Three Popes deposed by Henry III. 

1055— Bagdad taken by the Turks. 

1056— Accession of Henry lY. in Germany. 

1057— The house of Comneni on the Byzantine throne. 

1066—Harold, King of England. Battle of Hastings. Death 

of Harold. Accession of William the Conqueror. 
1077—Henry lY. humiliated by Pope Gregory YII. at Canossa. 
1087—William II., King of England. 

1095— First Crusade undertaken. 

1098— Antioch taken by the crusaders. 

1099— Jerusalem taken by the crusaders. Godfrey, of Bouil¬ 

lon, King. 

1100— Henry I., King of England. 

1106—Accession of Henry Y. in Germany. 

1125—Lothaire, Emperor. 

1130—Roger II., Norman King of Sicily. 

1135—Stephen, King of England. 

1137—Conrad III., Emperor. 

1139—Portugal a kingdom. 

1142—Death of Abelard. 

1146—Second Crusade inaugurated. 

1152—Accession of Frederick I., (Barbarossa,) in Germany. 
1155—Henry II., King of England. 

1170—Assassination of Thomas a Becket. 

1172—Henry II. conquered Ireland. 

1176—Frederick I. defeated by the Lombards. 

1180—Philip Augustus, King of France. 

1187—Jerusalem conquered by Saladin. 


48 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


1189— Third Crusade. Richard I., the Lion-hearted, King of 

England. Massacre of Jews in England. 

1190— Frederick I. drowned in the Cydnus, in Asia Minor. 

Henry Y. succeeded. 

1191— Surrender of Acre. 

1197—Philip, Emperor. 

1199—Death of Richard, the Lion-hearted. Accession of King 
John. 

1202—Fourth Crusade. 

1204—Latin Empire at Constantinople. 

1215— Magna Charta signed at Runnymede. 

1216— Henry III., King of England. Death of Innocent.III. 

1217— Fifth Crusade. 

1222—Tlie great charter of Hungary signed by Andreas II. 

1227— Death of Genghis Khan. 

1228— Sixth Crusade. 

1229— Emperor Frederick HI. in the East. 

1240— Gregory proclaimed a Crusade against the Emperor. 

1241— The Tartars at Wahlstadt, in Silesia. 

1242— The Tartars in Hungary. Flight of Bela lY. 

1248—Seventh Crusade under Louis IX. 

1250—Battle of Mansoorah; defeat of the crusaders. Acces¬ 
sion of Conrad lY. in Germany. 

1258—Hulaku stormed Bagdad. End of the Saracen empire. 
1263—Death of Alexander ISTevskoi, of Russia. 

1268—Conradin executed in Xaples by Charles of Anjou. 

1270—Death of Louis IX. in Tunis. 

1272— Edward I., King of England. 

1273— Accession of Rudolph I., of Hapsburg, in Germany. 
1282—Massacre of the French in Sicily. 

1291—Palestine lost to the Christians. 

1295—First English House of Commons. 

1298— Albert I., Emperor, but opposed by the Pope. 

1299— Commencement of the Ottoman empire. 

1300— Jubilee of Boniface YIII. 

1301— The dynasty of Arpad in Hungary extinct. 


FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


49 


1306— Kobert Bruce crowned at Scone. 

1307— Edward II., King of England. 

1308— Independence of Swiss cantons. The Emperor Albert 

assassinated. 

1309— The papal see removed to Avignon. 

1310— Rhodes taken by the knights of St. John. House of 

Luxemburg in Bohemia. 

1314—Battle of Bannockburn. 

1316—Establishment of the Salic law. 

1322—Battle of Mlihldorf for the crov/n of Germany. 

1329—Death of Robert Bruce. 

1332— Edward Baliol claimed the crown of Scotland ; landed 

with an army in Fife, but was defeated. 

1333— Battle of Ilalidon Hill; death of the regent, Douglas ; 

Baliol restored. Casimir the Great, King of Poland. 
1342—Louis the Great, King of Hungary. Great famine in 
China; 13,000,000 people perish. 

1346— Battle of Crecy; first use of cannon by the English. 

1347— Charles IV. succeeded Louis of Bavaria in Germany. 

1348— Plague in Europe. Persecution of the Jews. 

1356— Battle of Poitiers. 

1357— Turks in Europe. 

1360—Adrianople taken by Murad I. 

1372—Siege of Rochelle by Du Guesclin. Edward III., King 
of England. 

1375—DeatKof Boccacio. 

1377— Richard II., King of England. 

1378— Great schism of the West. Urban VI. at Rome; Clement 

VII. at Avignon. Wenceslas succeeded Charles IV. 

1380— Timour invaded Persia. 

1381— Insurrection of Wat Tyler. 

1385— Battle of Aljubarrota. Independence of Portugal. 

1386— Timour coiupiered Georgia. Battle of Sempach; heroic 

death of Winkelried. Ladislas Jagiello, King of Po¬ 
land. 

1388—Battle of Otterburne. 

4 


50 


FOOTPRINTS OF ITME. 


1389—Victory of Bajazet at Kossovo. 

1396— Sigismund, King of Hungary, defeated by Bajazet at 

Kicopolis. 

1397— Union of the Scandinavian states at Calmar. 

1399— Henry IV., King of England. 

1400— Timour invaded Syria, and sacked Aleppo. 

1401— First burning of heretics in England. 

1402— Timour invaded Asia Minor. Battle of Angora; defeat 

of Bajazet. 

1405—Death of Timour. 

1409—Council of Pisa. Three Popes. 

1413— Henry V., King of England. 

1414— Council of Constance. 

1415— Battle of Agincourt. John Huss burned for heresy. 

1419— Outbreak of the Hussite war. 

1420— Treaty of Troyes. Discovery of Madeira. 

1422— Henry VI., King of England. 

1423— Constantinople besieged by Amurath II. 

1428—Siege of Orleans. Joan of Arc. 

1431— Joan of Arc burned at Bouen. 

1432— Council of Basel. 

1437— Death of the Emperor Sigismund. 

1438— Albert II. succeeded in Germany, Bohemia and Hungary. 
1440—Accession of Frederick IV. in Germany. Invention 

of the printing press by Guttenberg. 

1444—Battle of Varna. Ladislas, King of Poland and Hun¬ 
gary, defeated and slain by the Turks. 

1446—John Ilunyady, Governor of Hungary. 

1450—Insurrection of Jack Cade. 

1453—The English lose all of France save Calais. Constan¬ 
tinople taken by the Turks. Fall of the Byzantine 
empire. 

1455— The war of the white and red roses. 

1456— Siege of Belgrade. Mohammed repulsed by Hunyady. 
1458—Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary. 



FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


51 


1461— Edward IV., King of England. Louis XI., King of 

France. 

1462— Gibraltar taken from the Moors. 

1471—Battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. 

1477—Charles, the Bold, of Burgundy, fell in the battle of 
Nancy. 

1479— Aragon and Castile united under Ferdinand and Isabella. 

1480— Siege of Rhodes by the Turks. Otranto taken by storm. 

Birth of Sir Thomas More. 

1483— Edward V., King of England. Richard III. Birth 

of Luther and Raphael. 

1484— Incpiisition in Spain. 

1485— Battle of Bosworth. Accession of Henry VII. 

1486— Cape of Good Hope discovered. 

1492—Surrender of Granada; end of Moorish dominion in 
Spain. Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Dis¬ 
covery of America. 


CHAPTEE II. 


THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 

1. Civilization, or tlie history of it, at least, commenced in 
the Eastern continent. The Western was, until a compara¬ 
tively recent period, quite unknown to those who recorded the 
progress of mankind, and the events by which it vras marked. 
The science of the most learned men and nations of ancient 
times did not extend to a compreliension of geography beyond 
the limits of their own countries, and of the countries conquered 
by their rulers, or those which, bordering on these, held some 
relations with them. 

2. The world appeared to be a flat surface, and no one 
thought of questioning that it was so only in appearance. It 
was reserved for a daring Genoese sea captain, about four hundred 
years ago, to conceive the happy idea that this appearance was 
deceptive; that it was really round; and that, by sailing west¬ 
ward, the distant East, or India, might be readily reached. 
Columbus, having become fully satisfled that this theory was 
correct, and not being rich enough to flt out an expedition 
himself, endeavored to convince others, who had the means, of 
the truth of his views, and to induce them to aid him to put 
them to the test. 

3. The Genoese, living by commerce, and, at that time 
wealthy and powerful, gave him no encouragement. Tliey 
even regarded him as a madman. He applied to the Govern¬ 
ments of Portugal, England, and Spain, but gained little 
attention for many years. At length Queen Isabella, of Spain, 
became interested in his theories, and, with much effort, as- 

(52) 


DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 


63 


sisted him to put them to proof. He set sail August 3, 1492, 
with three small vessels, on an unknown sea. His crew were 
filled with fear to find themselves so far from land, and sailing* 
toward unknown dangers. He had great difficulty in calming 
their terrors, and was in great danger of perishing in the 
mutiny they contemplated. He was saved by the opportune 
appearance of land on the 11th of October. He had reached 
the group of islands lying between Horth and South America. 
Tlie one first discovered was called, by the natives whom he 
found inhabiting it, Griianahani. He named it, in remem¬ 
brance of his peril, San Salvador—St. Savior. Supposing he 
had reached the Indies lying to the eastward of Asia, and not 
dreaming of a new continent, he called the inhabitants Indians. 
Cuba and Hayti, larger islands lying further south, were soon 
after discovered, and he hastened to carry back the wonderful 
tidings of his discovery to Spain. He reached home seven 
months and eleven days after his departure. 

4. He and his discoveries immediately became famous. The 
world had never been struck with a surprise so great, and all 
Europe was in a ferment at the news. He soon returned as 
Yiceroy of the newly discovered lands, to establish a colony 
and extend his researches. Five years later, in 1498, he dis¬ 
covered the main land near the river Orinoco, in the northern 
j^art of South America. He died in 1506, unaware of the 
magnitude of his discoveries, still believing he had only reached 
India from the west, and treated with much ingratitude by the 
government he had so much benefited by his bold genius. 
The first published account of the new continent was by a 
Florentine, Amerigo Vespucci, who visited the main land in 
1499, claimed the merit of the discovery, and gave it his name, 
America. His claim has long been disallowed, and Columbus 
duly lionored as the real discoverer, though the name was never 
changed. 

5. It is believed that North America was known to the mar¬ 
iners of the North of Europe as early as the tenth century; 
and that settlements, that afterwards perished, were made from 


54 


DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 


Iceland and Greenland as far south as the shores of New Eng¬ 
land. This, however, is only a dim tradition, there being no 
detailed and authentic history of these events left on record 
so far as is yet known. 

6. An English mariner, by descent a Venetian, disputes 
with Columbus the first sight of the main continent in 1498. 
He first touched the coast of Labrador, and sailed as far south 
as Florida in the next year. It was near a hundred years later 
before a permanent settlement was made within the territory 
that is now the United States, by the English, though the city 
of St. Augustine was founded in Florida by the Spaniards in 
1565. 

In 1607 a settlement was maae at Jamestown, on the Poto¬ 
mac river, in Virginia, and in 1620 the Puritans of England, 
persecuted there for their religious views, sought liberty of 
worship in the new world, establishing a colony at Plymouth, 
in New England, in the year 1620. Others followed in rapid 
succession until many distinct colonies had been planted on 
the eastern coast of the United States; all of which—except 
Florida, belonging to the Spaniards, on the souths and Canada, 
settled by the French, on the north—were under the control 
of, and received their laws from, England. 


CHAPTEE III. 


CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF ANGLO AMERICAN COLONIZATION FROM 

1492 TO 1763. 

1492—October 11, Christopher Columbus discovered land 
belonging the Western Hemisphere—one of the Bahama 
Islands. He touches at Cuba and Hajti before his 
return. 

1497— John Cabot, master of an English vessel, and his son 
Sebastian, touched at Newfoundland in June, and soon 
after explored the coast of Labrador. 

1498— Columbus, on his third voyage, discovers the American 
Continent, near the mouth of the Orinoco river, in South 
America. 

1498— Sebastian Cabot, in a second voyage, first of Europeans, 
explores our Atlantic coast as far south as Maryland. 

1499— Amerigo Yespucci, or Americus Yespucius, a Floren¬ 
tine merchant, conducts a vessel to the coast of South 
America. Keturning to Europe he publishes a book, 
claiming to have first discovered the continent, and it 
receives his name, America. 

1502—Columbus is sent to Spain in chains by a Spanish ofiicer 
whom the jealousy of Ferdinand, the Spanish King, 
placed over him. Treated with injustice and neglect, 
he died at Yalladolid, Spain, in 1506. 

1512—Ponce de Leon, a Spaniard in search of the “ Fountain 
of Youth,’- discovers Florida, near St. Augustine. 

1524—John Yerrazani, a Florentine, commanding a French 
vessel, touches the coast near Wilmington, North Caro- 
(55) 


56 


ANGLO-AMEKICAN COLONIZATION. 


’ lina, and explores it north to Nova Scotia. He wrote a 
narrative describing the country and the Indians. 

1534—James Cartier, a French navigator, discovers the St. 
Lawrence. 

1541—He builds a Fort at Quebec, but soon abandons it. 

1541—He Soto, a Spaniard, discovers the Mississippi. He 
traveled, with six hundred men, through Georgia and 
Alabama, and fought a bloody battle with the Indians 
near Mobile. These Indians had a walled town ot 
several thousand inhabitants. Thence he traveled west 
to the Mississippi and Hed Rivers. He died at the 
mouth of the Red river. May 21, 1542. 

1553—Persecution of the English Puritans commences. 

1564— French Huguenots attempt a settlement in Florida. 
They gave the name Carolina to the coast on the north. 
The first colony is discouraged, and returns. In the 
year 1565 another Huguenot colony is founded on the 
River May. 

1565— Melendez, a Spaniard, founds St. Augustine, September 
8th, with five hundred colonists. It was the first per¬ 
manent settlement in the United States. 

1565—Melendez destro^^s the French colony. 

1567—The Chevalier Gouges (French) attacks St. Augustine, 
and puts to death two hundred Spaniards in retaliation. 

1578—The first English settlement contemjJated. Queen 
Elizabeth grants a patent to Sir Humphrey Gilbert “ to 
such remote, heathen, and barbarous lands as he should 
find in North America.” He makes two attempts to 
plant a colony—in 1579 and in 1583—fails in each, and 
perishes with his vessel, September 23, 1583. 

1584— Sir Walter Raleigh receives a similar patent, and sends 
two vessels to the shores of Pamlico Sound. Queen 
Elizabeth names the country Virginia. 

1585— Raleigh sends a colony to Roanoke Island, but it is 
unfortunate, and returns home. 

1587—He sends another colony, but the Spanish Armada 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION 


57 


threatening England, lie could not send it supplies foi 
some time, and when visited, later, no trace of it could 
be found. Discouraged, he gives up his patent to a 
London company of merchants, who content themselves 
to trade with the Indians. 

1002—Bartholomew Gosnold visits New England. 

'1603—Henry lY., King of France, grants Acadia (Nova 
Scotia) to Sieur de Monts, who founds a colony on the 
Bay of Fundy, at Port Boyal. 

1600—James 1., King of England, establishes the London and 
Plymouth companies for settling North America. 

1607—The Plymouth company land a colony at the mouth of 
the Kennebec river. It is unfortunate, and returns to 
England. 

1607— The London company send out an expedition, which, 
accidentally discovering Chesapeake Bay, enter, and 
found a colony on James Kiver, at Jamestown. The 
romantic Captain John Smith was one of the colonists. 
This was the first permanent English settlement in 
North America. 

1608— Smith seeking, by orders from the London company, a 
passage to the Pacific ocean, up the Chickaliominy, is 
taken prisoner by the Indians, condemned to death, and 
saved l)y Pocahontas. 

1608—Quebec founded by the French under Champlain. 

1608— The English Puritans, persecuted in England, take 
refuge in Holland. 

1609— Lord Delaware is appointed Governor of Virginia, 
which receives a new charter, and a considerable acces¬ 
sion of numbers. 

1009—Part of the ex]^edition, liowever, was shipwrecked, and 
the colony, embracing a large unruly and indolent ele¬ 
ment, is near ]ierishing. Pocahontas repeatedly saves 
them from the Indians. Hudson river and Lake Cham¬ 
plain discovered. 

1610— Lord Delaware, having been delayed, arrives (after the 


58 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


discouraged colonists had embarked to return to Eng¬ 
land) with supplies, and saves tlie settlement. 

1613— Pocahontas marries John Kolfe, an Englishman. 

1614— The Dutch erect a fort at New York. 

1615— They build Fort Orange, near Albany. 

1619— The tirst General Assembly elected by the people is 
called in Virginia, by Governor Yeardley. Eleven bor¬ 
oughs, or towns, were each represented by two Burgesses, 
or citizens. It was the dawn of civil liberty in Virginia, 
and a germ of the future republic. 

1620— Convicts are sent to Virginia, and negro slaves intro¬ 
duced. 

1620—September 6th, the Puritans, discontented in Holland, 
set sail in the Mayflower, from Plymouth, England, for 
America, under the auspices of the Pljnnouth Com¬ 
pany.” 

1620—December 12th, they land on Plymouth Rock, and, amid 
great hardships, found a religious colony. 

1620— James I. grants a charter to the Grand Council of 
Plymouth for governing New England-^ 

1621— A district called Mariana granted to John Mason. 

1621—Plymouth colony makes a treaty witli Massasoit. 

1621— Cotton first planted in Virginia. 

1622— Sir Ferdinand Gorges and John Mason obtain a charter 
of Maine and New Hampshire. They plant a colony 
on the Piscataqua river. 

1622—An Indian conspiracy nearly proves fatal to the Vir¬ 
ginia colony. March 22d, at noon, an attack is made 
on all the settlements, and in an hour nearly a fourth 
part of the colony is massacred. The colonists, in a 
bloody war, thoroughly chastise the Indians. 

1624— Virginia becomes a royal province, but stoutly main¬ 
tains its legislative authority. 

1625— Death of Robinson, the distinguished Puritan divine, 
in Holland. 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


59 


1628— Massachusetts colony patented, and settiemenr made at 
Salem, by John Endicott. 

1629— Charlestown, Mass., founded. 

The Dutch colonize the west side of Delaware river. 

1630— Patent of Carolina made to Sir Kobert Heath. 

1631— Massachusetts General Court confines the privilege ot 
voting to church members. 

Clayborne plants a colony on Kent Island. 

The Dutch erect a trading fort at Hartford. 

1632— Maryland granted to Lord Baltimore. 

1633— Connecticut colony founded. 

1636— Roger Williams founds Providence. 

1637— Pequod war in Connecticut. 

1638— Rhode Island settled by followers of Anne Hutchinson. 
1638—Harvard college founded. 

1638— Swedes and Finns settle Delaware. 

1639— Colony of Hew Haven founded. Persecution in Mas¬ 
sachusetts. 

1640— Montreal, Canada, founded. 

1641— Hew Hampshire united to Massachusetts. 

1643—The germ of the American Union is planted by a con¬ 
federation of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
and Hew Haven. It was for mutual protection and 
support, and was kept alive about forty years. 

1645—Clayborne causes an insurrection in Maryland. 

The Mohawks mediate between the Dutch and Algon- 
quins. 

1645— Witchcraft superstition commences. 

1646— John Elliott becomes a missionary to the Indians. 

1649— The Mohawk war on the French settlements and 
Jesuits. 

1650— Common School laws passed in Connecticut. 

1651— English navigation Act ” forbids colonists to trade 
with any country but England, and restricts trade 
among the colonies. Thus the English make all the 


60 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


profits. English iriercliants set the price of purchases 
and sales. 

1651—Persecution of the Quakers in Massachusetts. 

1651—Proprietary government subverted in Maryland. 

1657—Elliott translates the Bible into the Indian language. 

166^—Winthrop obtains a liberal charter for Hartford and 
New Haven. 

1663— Carolina granted to a company of Noblemen. 

1664— The Dutch conquer the Swedes on the Delaware. 

New York granted to the Duke of York, who sends a 
force to dispossess the Dutch. It is done without 
fighting. 

New Jersey granted to Berkely and Carteret. 

1665— Lake Superior discovered by Father Allouez. 

1668—St. Mary’s, between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the 
first French settlement within the boundaries of the 
United States, founded. 

1670—Mr. Locke’s philosophical constitution introduced in 
Carolina. It soon proved an absurd failure. 

1673—The Upper Mississippi discovered by Marquette. 

1675— King Philij)’s war in New England. He was a warrior 
of great ability and activity. Fourteen town were 
destroyed by the Indians, and six hundred inhabitants 
killed. Philip is killed August 12,1676, and the Indian 
tribes very nearly destroyed. 

1676— Three of the Begicides (Judges of Charles I., King of 
England) came to New England. 

1676— New Jersey divided into East and West Jersey, at the 
suggestion of Wm. Penn. 

Bacon’s rebellion in favor of popular rights, in Vir¬ 
ginia. 

1677— Virginia obtains a new charter. 

Massachusetts purchases Maine. 

1678— Sir Edmund Andross, royal governor of New York, 
usurps the government of the Jerseys. 

1679— New Hampshire becomes a royal province, but the 



ANGLO-AMEKICAN COLONIZA'nON. 


61 


people make a successful stand for their legislative 
privileges. 

1679— Massachusetts having disregarded the Navigation Act, 
Edward Randolph was sent as Inspector of Customs. 
He failed to enforce the act, and in 1682 the charter of 
Massachusetts was annulled. 

1680— Charleston, South Carolina, founded. 

1681— Wm. Penn receives a grant of Pennsylvania from 
Charles TI. 

1681—Penn restores the proprietary government in the Jerseys. 

1681—He founds Philadelphia; makes ^ treaty with the Indi¬ 
ans; and governs East Jersey. 

1684—La Salle visits and names Louisiana. 

1686—Sir Edmund Andross being made Governor-General 
over New England, proceeds in a very tyrannical man¬ 
ner. He endeavored to get possession of the charter of 
Connecticut, but failed, though he took possession of 
the government. 

1688—New York and New Jersey came under the jurisdiction 
of Andross; but Janies II., the tyrannical King of 
England, being deposed, Massachusetts imprisoned 
Andross. Rhode Island and Connecticut resumed their 
charter governments; but Massachusetts, having given 
offense by resistance to the Navigation Act, never 
recovered her original charter. 

1688— France having espoused the cause of the dethroned 
king, a war broke out between France and England, 
known as King William’s ” war. 

1689— The government of New York is seized by Jacob Leis- 
ler for King William. 

1690— May 1st, a Congress of colonial delegates meets at New 
York to concert measures for the common defense. 
February 18th, destruction of Schenectady, N. Y^., and 
massacre of the inhabitants by the Indians, sent by 
the French, from Canada. 

1690—March 18th, Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, on the 


62 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


Piscataqua river, is destroyed by the French and Indi¬ 
ans. Casco, Maine, is also destroyed. 

1690—Sir William Phipps, Governor of Massachusetts, invades 
Canada, unsuccessfully. 

1690— French Protestants settle in Virginia and Carolina. 

1691— Slaughter becomes Governor of New York. He exe¬ 
cutes Leisler. 

1692— Massachusetts receives a new charter. Her limits are 
enlarged, but her privileges restricted. 

1692—Texas settled by the Spaniards, at Bexar. 

1695—Rice brought to Carolina, from Africa. 

1697— The Peace of Ryswick terminates King William’s war. 

1698— Piracies of Captain Kidd. He was tried and executed 
in England, in 1701. 

1699— Pensacola is settled by the Spaniards. 

1701— William Penn grants a new charter to Pennsylvania. 

1702— The Jerseys united and joined to New York. 

“ Queen Anne’s war ” breaks out. New England suf¬ 
fered much from the ravages of the Indians. 

1702—Governor Moore, of South Carolina, attacks St. Augus¬ 
tine, but without success. 

1702—Mobile founded by d’Iberville, with a colony of Cana¬ 
dian French. 

1702— The Massachusetts Assembly contend with the royal 
governor for their former liberties. Their charter is 
still further restricted. 

1703— Delaware (called The Territories) is separated from 
Pennsylv^ania. 

1706— The French and Spaniards inv^ade Carolina. They are 
repulsed with loss. 

1707— Detroit, Michigan, settled by the French. 

1710—Many thousand Germans, from the Palatinate, settle 
in the colonies, from New York to the Carolinas. 

1712—A war with the Tuscaroras, in North Carolina, results 
in their complete defeat. Tliey unite with the Iroquois. 


ANGLO - AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


63 


1T13—Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, and Niagara, are 
fortified by the French. 

The Peace of Utrecht closes Queen Anne’s war. 

1715— In a war with the Yamassees, South Carolina loses four 
hundred inhabitants, but expels the Indians. 

1716— Natchez founded by the French. 

1717— Father Easles, a Jesuit Missionary at Norridgwock, 
Maine, excites the Indians to drive out the English 
from Maine. He is the last of the Jesuit missionaries, 
and is slain in the capture of Norridgwock, in August, 
1724, by New England troops. 

1718— New Orleans founded by the French. 

1720—A royal government supercedes the proprietary, in Car¬ 
olina. 

1723—First settlement made in Yermont. 

1729—North and South Carolina erected into separate gov¬ 
ernments. 

1732— A company in England prepare to settle Georgia. 

1733— General Oglethorpe, with a colony, arrives in Georgia. 

1736—Many Scotch Highlanders and Germans settle in 

Georgia. 

1738—Insurrection of the slaves in South Carolina. 

1740—General Oglethorpe invades Florida. He is repulsed. 
The Moravians settle in Pennsylvania. 

1742—The Spanish invade Georgia, but retire with loss. 

1744— “ The Old French War ” begins. 

1745— The New England colonies raise a force and capture 
Louisberg, the “ Gibralter of America,” from the 
French. 

1748—The treaty of peace of Aix la Chapelle, restores Louis¬ 
berg to France, to the great disgust of the colonies. 

1750—The French and English both claim the Mississippi 
and Ohio valleys. Lawrence Washington, and others 
form the Ohio Company. Parliament grants it six hun¬ 
dred thousand acres of lana on, or near, the Ohio river. 



64 


ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


The French dispute the possession, and threaten sum¬ 
mary ejectment. 

1753— George Washington is sent by Governor Dinwiddie, ol 
Virginia, as an envoy to the French and Indians in 
Ohio. 

1754— The French build Fort Du Quesne (now Pittsburgh). 
Washington defeats a French party headed by De 
Jumonville. The French are reinforced by fifteen 
hundred men, and Washington with four hundred men, 
after defending himself one day, capitulates. 

1754— The British government, in expectation of a speedy war 
with France, recommend the colonies to form a Union 
for defense. Delegates from seven colonies meet at 
Albany, June 14, 1754. A plan of Union was drawn 
up by Benjamin Franklin. Connecticut rejected it as 
giving too much power to the English government. 
Parliament rejected it as giving too much to the colo¬ 
nies. 

1755— Braddock’s defeat in Pennsylvania. 

1755—War with the Cherokees, in Tennessee. 

1755— The French, under Dieskau, are defeated at Lake 
George. 

1756— War was formally declared, two years after it actually 
begun. 

1757— Fort William Henry, being attacked by an overwhelm¬ 
ing force of French and Indians, surrenders, and the 
garrison are massacred by the Indians. 

1758— July 6, Louisberg captured by the English- under Gen¬ 
eral Amherst. 

1758—General Abercrombie is repulsed in an attack on Fort 
Ticonderoga, and Lord Howe, much liked in the colo¬ 
nies, is killed. 

1758—August 27, Fort h'rontenac, now Kingston, Canada, 
taken by Col. Bradstreet. 

1758—November 25, Fort Du Quesne taken by the English, 
under General Forbes. 





ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIZATION. 


65 


1759— General Wolfe, conmiander of the English, and General 
Montcalm, of the French army, meet in battle on the 
Heights of Abraham, near Quebec. Wolfe’s army 
conquered, but both commanders lost their lives. Que¬ 
bec capitulated. 

George III. ascends the throne of England. 

1760— September 8th, Canada surrendered to the English. 
Massachusetts vigorously opposes “ Writs of Assist¬ 
ance” (search warrants for‘goods that had not paid the 
duty). 

1761— The Cherokees reduced to peace by Colonel Grant. 

In October, Mr. Pitt, the English Prime Minister, 
always a friend of the colonies, resigns. 

5 


CHAPTEE lY. 


CHKONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES, 
FROM 1763 TO JULY" 4, 1776. 

In February, 1763, The Peace of Paris, concluded between 
the gOYernments of England and France, closed the war in 
America that had been so painful to the colonies from the 
part which the French persuaded the Indians to take in it. 
But, while the colonies bore a large part of the burden, (they 
had raised $16,000,000 of its expenses, and had lost, in battle 
or in hospital, 30,000 men,) of a war that drove the French 
out of all their possessions in Canada and east of the Missis¬ 
sippi river; they were, at the same time, trained to act in con¬ 
cert, which paved the way for a future confederation, and 
hardened them to war. Being called into battle under celebrated 
English commanders, and to fight side by side with European 
veterans, they had opportunity to learn the art of war, as well 
as to compare themselves wfith the soldiers of the mother coun¬ 
try and of France. This comparison W"as favorable to them, 
and inspired them with confidence in their own ability. 

The fatal blunders of Gen. Braddock, and the skill and bra¬ 
very of Washington and his provincial troops which, alone, 
saved the British army from entire annihilation in the Penn¬ 
sylvania wilderness, was never forgotten. They felt them¬ 
selves, even as raw militia, equal to the best European soldiers, 
when on their own ground. 

It was a great mistake of the Home Government to put on 
an arrogant tone with them just when they had learned their 
strength. In the year 1764 that government, plunged in debt 
by its long wars with the continental powers, (it amounted to 

(6C) 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


67 


$700,000,000,) and on the plea that the colonies who had been 
protected, should bear a fair share of the pecuniary burden, 
determined to impose taxes on them. Previously they had 
restricted their commerce to English ports, had laid duties on 
various imports, and assumed authority to change the govern¬ 
ments of the colonies without their consent. This had pro¬ 
duced much dissatisfaction, but had no further immediate effect 
than to lead them to remonstrance, evasion, or legal resistance. 
The proposal to lay internal taxes was quite another affair. 
Submission to this they thought would be fatal to their liber¬ 
ties. They resisted with general moderation, respectfully, but 
with determined resolution. 

The British ministry were provoked by this resistance, hold¬ 
ing it to be rebellion; and determined to put it down, by force, 
if need be. The struggle continued for ten years with grow¬ 
ing obstinacy on either side. The home government was 
exceedingly obtuse or it would have either proceeded to ex¬ 
tremes at once or yielded the whole case, as it finally deter¬ 
mined to do in 1776, when it was too late. In this period of 
lively discussion, and of organization to secure the strength of 
union in resistance, the separate colonies were gradually 
moulded into a nation, imbued with common sympathies and 
ideas, and moved by common interests. They had not thought 
of independence during all this preliminary struggle. The 
war had lasted a year before that idea became prominent. 
That was not, even then, regarded as an end^ so much as an 
indispensable means to secure their liberties. Thus we see 
that no taint of conspiracy attached to the revolutionary 
struggle. The colonies were thoroughly loyal, until loyalty 
came to mean loss of liberty, and the rights enjoyed by Eng¬ 
lishmen in England. The exercise of arbitrary power they 
felt it right to resist; but they exhausted all other modes and 
means of resistance before they resorted to arms. 

They did not even make a first attack. They waited till 
armies were sent to subjugate them, and until those armies 


68 


THE ANGLO-AMEKICAN COLONIES. 


commenced the attack; then the whole country rose in the 
stern resolve to right their wrongs. 

1763. 

The Peace of Paris was signed in February of this year. 
July 7th began “Pontiac’s War,” with the simultaneous attack 
on all the forts in tlie peninsula of Michigan, and the whole 
frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Pontiac was an 
Ottawa chief, of great ability, and had drawn many Indian tribes 
into the war. It was virtually ended in September of the 
same year. 

1764. 

April 5.—“ The Sugar Act ” was passed in the English Parlia¬ 
ment. This levied duties on coffee, pimento, French 
and East India goods, and forbade iron and lumber 
to be exported except to England. It was for the 
avowed purpose of raising a revenue, and raised 
instead a storm of indignation. The Massachusetts 
House of Representatives said: “If we are taxed 
and not represented, w^e are slaves.” 

1765. 

Feb. 27—Was passed the obnoxious Stamp Act. Also the 
military law was made to authorize the ministry to 
send any number of troops to the colonies, for whom 
the colonists were to find “ quarters, fire-wood, bed¬ 
ding, drink, soap, and candles.” 

May 29—Patrick Henry introduced five “ Resolutions ’’into the 
Virginia House of Burgesses, claiming for Virgin¬ 
ians the rights of British subjects; that only their 
own representatives could lawfully tax them; declar¬ 
ing the attempt to vest that power in any other 
hands subversive of both British and American 
liberty. 

Sept. 1 —The Pennsylvania Assembly passed similar resolu¬ 
tions. 

Oct. 7 — A congress of delegates, or committees, from nine 
colonies, met in New York. It was the first Con- 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


69 


tinental Congress. Its spirit harmonized with that 
of Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and 
its Declaration of Rights and Grievances” was cor¬ 
dially approved by all the colonial assemblies. 

1766. 

Mar. 29—The Stamp Act could not be enforced in America, 
and it was repealed by Parliament; but the repeal 
was followed by another act asserting the power and 
right of Parliament to bind the colonies in all 
cases whatsoever,” Thus yielding the thing and as¬ 
serting the jjrinciple, both strengthened the 

colonies by a sense of their power, and exasperated 
them by a total denial of their Declaration of Rights. 

May — Yet their triumph filled the colonies with joy, and 
gratitude toward the King and their English friends. 
Virginia voted the King a statue. 

1767. 

June — But their exultation was short-lived. In this year 
taxes were levied on tea, paints, paper, glass, and 
lead. This led to the determination, on the part of 
the colonies, to pay no more taxes or duties at all. 

Oct. 28 —The Governor of Massachusetts having refused to 
call the General Court (or legislative body of the col¬ 
ony) together, a public meeting was held and reso¬ 
lutions passed to encourage “ economy, industry, and 
manufactures,” and a committee appointed to get 
subscribers to an agreement to discontinue the im¬ 
portation of British goods not absolute necessaries. 
This was imitated in other colonies. 

1768. 

Feb. 11 —Massachusetts General Court issues a general circu¬ 
lar to other colonial assemblies, inviting cooperation 
for the defense of colonial rights. Those bodies 
mostly gave cordial replies. This General Court hav- 

July ing been dissolved, the new one being called on to 
rescind this circular, refused by a vote of ninety-two 


70 


THE ANGLO-AMEEICAN COLONIES 


to seventeen. These seventeen became the butt of 
public scorn. 

Sept. 12—Four regiments of British troops ordered to Boston. 
“ 22 The governor had been desired, by a Boston “ town 

meeting,” to call a General Court. He refused, and 
the “meeting” issued a call for delegates from the 
towns to a colonial convention. More than a hun¬ 
dred towns were represented in the convention meet¬ 
ing this day. Their main effort was to vindicate the 
“ 28 colony from the charge of a rebellious spirit. The 

day after this meeting adjourned two regiments of 
British troops arrived in Boston. 

1769. 

Jan’y —Parliament severely censures all the colonial acts, and 
directs that persons arrested in the colonies for treason 
be sent to England, to be tried. 

May — The Virginia Assembly take strong ground against 
this, and agree with the Massachusetts Convention. 

“ 31—The Massachusetts General Court .assembles, but 
refuses to transact business in the midst of an armed 
force. After long contest with them the Governor 
adjourned them to Cambridge. 

June 13—Required to support the troops, they respectfully and 
temperately, but firmly, refuse, and decline to vote 
any supplies for government till their grievances are 
redressed. 

July 15—All the colonies manifest the same spirit. 

1770. 

Mar. 5—The indignation of Boston at the presence of troops 
breaks out into an affray. The troops fire on the citi¬ 
zens. Three are killed and five wounded. It was 
called the “ Boston Massacre.” 

April — British Parliament repeals the last tax on all articles 
but tea. The non-importation agreements had exerted 
a great influence in promoting economy, encouraging 
manufactures, and bringing “ home-made ” into fash- 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


71 


ion. The graduating class in Harvard College took 
their degrees in ‘‘ home-spun this year. 

1771. 

Throughout this year the same disputes were main¬ 
tained between the governors and colonial legislatures 
as formerly; but as the home government did not 
push the struggle to an issue, there was comparative 
(piiet, but no yielding. 

1772. 

June 10—The Gaspe, a British revenue schooner, burned by 
a party from Providence, Rhode Island. Parliament 
offers six hundred pounds sterling and a pardon to 
any accomplice who will confess and give up the 
offenders. They were well known by colonists, but 
no legal evidence could ever be obtained. 

Oct. 28—A committee appointed in Boston to state the rights 
of the colonists and correspond with other sections 
on this subject. They publish an address, which is 
extensively circulated. Franklin, agent for the colo¬ 
nies in England, republishes it there. 

1773. 

March — This address led to the first measures for a political 
union of the colonies. 

July — The British ministry attempt to import tea into the 
colonies. 

Oct. 2 — The people of Philadelphia declare that any one who 
shall “ aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending 
the tea is an enemy to his country.” 

Nov. 3—The Boston consignees required by the people to 
resign. They refuse. 

‘‘ 5-19—A legal town meeting takes them in hand, and at 
length they resign. 

Dec’r — Three ships loaded with tea having arrived, the people 
labor for near a month to have them sent back. Not 
succeeding, the cargoes are all emptied into the sea. 


72 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


1774. 

Mar.25—Parliament retaliated by the “Boston Port Bill,’’ 
closing it to commerce. 

May 13-20—Meetings held in the principal cities to consider 
the j-tate of affairs, recommended the assembly of a 
Continental Congress. Tliis body was appointed in 
all the provinces but Georgia. There were fifty-three 
delegates. 

Sept. 4—These assemble at Philadelphia, and Peyton Kandolph, 
of Virginia, is chosen President. They publish a 
“ Declaration of Colonial Bights.” They agree on 
fourteen articles as Ihe basis of an “ American Asso¬ 
ciation” to support these rights. This body was 
henceforth the real government, all their directions 
being obeyed by the people. They completed the 
organization of the Union and took preliminary 
measures for defense in case of attack. 

1775. 

Feb. 1 — Lord Chatham introduced a bill in Parliament w’hich 
might have accommodated all differences, but it was 
treated with great discourtesy. Parliament deter¬ 
mines to humble and subdue the colonies. 

April 19—Battle of Lexington. General Gage sends eight 
hundred British troops to destroy some colonial mili¬ 
tary stores at Concord, twenty miles from Boston. 
Tlie “ minute men ” assembled at Lexington, are fired 
on and dispersed. The troops march to Concord, 
destroy the stores, and hastily retreat before the gath¬ 
ering minute men, who assail them on all sides. They 
would have been completely destroyed but for a timely 
reinforcement at Lexington of nine hundred men and 
two cannon. The loss of British killed and wounded 
was nearly three hundred; of the provincials eighty- 
five. Boston is immediately beleagured by some 
twenty thousand minute men. 

“ 22—Massachusetts Legislature assembles. It sends depo- 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


73 


sitions, proving that the soldiers fired first, to Eng¬ 
land, with an address to the English people, declaring 
that they will “ die or be free.” This body voted a 
levy of thirteen thousand men for the protection of 
the colony. 

May 10—The second Continental Congress assembled at Phil¬ 
adelphia. 

Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold surprise 
the fortress of Ticonderoga, on Lake George, New 
York. Its small force of three officers and forty-four 
privates cannot defend it, and they surrender without 
fighting. Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, is occu¬ 
pied without resistance. 

Peyton Randolph again chosen President of Congress. 

“ 24—Peyton Pandoph being called home, John Hancock, 
of Massachusetts, is chosen President of Congress. 

“ 25—Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, with large 
British reinforcements, arrived at Boston. 

June 15—George Washington unanimously chosen commander- 
in-chief of the Continental forces. 

“ 17—The battle of Bunker Hill (or Breed’s Hill), near Bos¬ 
ton. The British were twice repulsed, with great 
loss, when the ammunition of the Americans failing, 
they retreated in safety. British loss over one thou¬ 
sand ; American, four hundred and fifty. British 
forces engaged, three thousand ; American, less than 
fifteen hundred. Tlie British commander burned 
Charlestown during the battle. General Warren, 
American, was killed. 

“ 23—Congress issue bills of credit for $2,000,000. 

“ 30—Articles of War are agreed to in Congress. 

July 8—A last petition to the King is sent by Richard Penn, 
grandson of William Penn. 

« 17—Another million dollars in bills of credit is issued. 
The liability for these was distributed among the 
Colonies. 


74 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


July 26—Benjamin Franklin appointed first Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral. 

Aug. 30—General Schuyler embarks on Lake Champlain, for 
an expedition against Canada. He leaves the com¬ 
mand with General Montgomery. Early in Septem¬ 
ber General Arnold starts with eleven hundred men 
to Canada by Maine. 

Sept. 24—Ethan Allen is taken prisoner, near Montreal. 

Oct. 18—Falmouth (now Portland, Maine) burned by the 
British. 

“ 22—Peyton Kandolph, of Virginia, died. He was the first 
President of Congress. 

Nov. 3—Montgomery captures St. Johns, Canada. 

“ 13—Montreal surrendered to the Americans under Mont¬ 
gomery. 

‘‘ 20—$3,000,000 more in bills of credit issued by Congress, 
payable in eight years. 

Dec. T—Lord Dunmore, British Governor of Virginia, defeated 
near Norfolk, Virginia. 

‘‘ 13—A navy of thirteen vessels created by Congress. Let¬ 
ters of marque and reprisal granted. 

21—The British Parliament pass a bill declaring all Amer¬ 
ican vessels and goods, and those of all persons trad¬ 
ing with them, a lawful prize, and authorizing the 
impressment of American sailors into the royal navy, 
where they might be required to fight against their 
own cause and friends. 

“ 31—General Montgomery and Colonel Arnold make an 
unsuccessful attack on Quebec. Montgomery is killed, 
Arnold wounded, and four hundred men killed, 
wounded, or taken prisoners. Arnold withdrew, but 
kept Quebec blockaded through the winter. 

1776. 

Jan. 1—Lord Dunmore, Eoyal Governor of Virginia, ravages 
the coast and burns Norfolk, but is obliged to fiy to 
Bermuda. 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAH COLONIES. 


75 


Jan. 20—Georgia prepares to join the other twelve colonies. 

Feb. 4—McIntosh, with an American force, destroys several 
vessels loading for England, near Savannah, Georgia. 

“ 17—Four millions more of paper money isssued by Con¬ 
gress. 

March 4—Washington fortifies Dorchester Heights, overlook¬ 
ing Boston, which renders it untenable by the British. 

“ 10—The inhabitants and merchants of Boston plundered 
of their lighter property by the British army. 

“ 17—The British embark for Halifax, and Washington 
occupies the town. 

18—Sir Archibald Campbell sails into Boston, and his 
whole force of seventeen hundred men are taken pris¬ 
oners. 

“ 23—Congress declares all British vessels a lawful prize. 

April 26—Washington removes his army to Hew York. 

May 3—Sir Peter Parker, with ten ships of war and seven 
regiments, joins the force from Boston under General 
Clinton, at Cape Fear. 

“ 15—Congress declared that all authority under the British 
crown ought to be totally suppressed and government 
conducted by colonial representatives alone. This 
was only an expression of their sense of the danger 
to their interests and liberties of allowing British 
agents to act. 

June 7—Bichard Heni’y Lee, of Virginia, moved the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence. 

8—American army in Canada, under General Sullivan, 
make an unsuccessful attack on the enemy. They 
are pressed by superior numbers, and retreat in good 
order, though with a loss of one thousand men pris¬ 
oners, out of Canada, losing all their conquests. 

11—Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, and Kobert K. Livingston a com¬ 
mittee to prepare the Declaration of Independence. 


76 


THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES. 


Jun. 28—British fleet attack Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan’s 
Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, but were 
defeated with loss of two hundred men, one vessel, 
and death of Lord Campbell, the ex-rojal Governor. 

July 4 —Declaration of Independence bj the Congress at 
Philadelphia. 


CHAPTEK Y. 

FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION. 

The Boston Tea Party ’’ provoked the English Parliament 
into passing “ The Boston Port Bill,” closing that city to com¬ 
merce. This act led to immediate measures for assembling 
delegates, representing twelve colonies in Korth America 
(Georgia, only, was not represented), for the purpose of con¬ 
sultation on the measures required for the protection of colonial 
rights. This body, called “ The Continental Congress,” assem¬ 
bled in Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. It drew up a 
“Declaration of Colonial Bights;” and, for the purpose of 
enforcing them, agreed to accept as a basis of common action 
fourteen articles, known as “ The American Association.” 

This was the origin of the American Union. Though it did 
not assume organic political power, and its ordinances were 
only advisory in form, it was better obeyed than most govern¬ 
ments. Arrangements were made for another Congress in May 
following. Its day of meeting was hastened by the battle of 
Lexington, and it immediately proceeded to assume the pow¬ 
ers of a General Government, at the request of some of the 
provincial Legislatures, and with the tacit consent of all. It 
received its authority from its representative character; from 
the imperious necessity of a head to organize and direct; and 
from the voluntary obedience rendered to its mandates. It 
performed all the functions of a government until all prospect 
of reconciliation with Great Britain was lost, when, June 11, 
1776, a committee was appointed to prepare “ A Declaration 
of Independence.” This was adopted and signed July 4, 
1776. 


( 77 ) 


78 


FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION. 


On the 12th of July, a committee of one from each State 
reported on the terms of confederation, and the powers of Con¬ 
gress; but differences of opinion, and the pressure of military 
affairs prevented action on it. On the 9th of September, 1776, 
The name “ United Colonies of America ” was discarded for 
that of “ United States of America.” Georgia had appointed 
delegates on the 4th of July, so that there were ‘‘Thirteen 
United States.” 

On Saturday, November 15,1777, “Articles of Confederation 
and Perpetual Union of the United States of America ” were 
agreed to in Congress, and sent to the States for approval. 
Eight of the State Legislatures had ratified these articles on 
the 9th of July, 1778; one ratified July 21st; one July 24th; 
one November 26th, of this year; one February 22d, 1779; 
and the last, March 1, 1781. 

This document was little more than a digest of the powers 
before assumed by Congress, and tacitly acknowledged by the 
States from the commencement of the war. This, now legal, 
bond had existed before as a free, though unspoken, submis¬ 
sion to the dictates of prudence and patriotism. 


CHAPTEE VI. 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

This immortal state paper—the general effusion of the soul 
of the country ” at the imperiled state of liberty, and of the 
rights of Englishmen—was given to the world on the 4th ot 
July, 1776. The war of the Kevolution had been raging more 
than a year, and many of the leading minds of the country 
had been actuated by the hope that their wrongs would be 
redressed, and the mother country and her colonies reconciled. 
The course of events had convinced them, however, that there 
w^ould be no redress, and that no reconciliation was possible 
other than that based on a slavish surrender of rights and priv¬ 
ileges dear to free men. 

And hence a more decided course was approved by the 
people, and finally adopted by their delegates in Congress, on 
the 2d day of July, 1776. This resolution changed the old 
thirteen British colonies into free and independent States. 
And now it remained to set forth the reason for this act, 
together with the principles that should govern this new peo¬ 
ple. By this declaration the new Bepublic, as it took its place 
among the powers of the world, proclaimed its faith in the 
truth, reality, and unchangableness of freedom and virtue. 
And the astonished nations, as they read that all men are cre¬ 
ated equal, started out of their lethargy, like those who have 
been exiled from childhood when they suddenly hear the dimly 
remembered accents of their mother tongue. 

(79) 


so DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

4 

THE DECLAEATION OF IHDEPEHDEHCE. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary 
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have con¬ 
nected them with another, and to assume among the powers of 
the earth, the separate and equal station to which tlie laAVS of 
nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to 
the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the 
causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are cre¬ 
ated equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, govern¬ 
ments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers 
from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of 
government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right 
of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new 
government, laying its foundation on such principles, and 
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most 
likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, 
will dictate that governments long established should not be 
changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all 
experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to 
suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right them by abolish¬ 
ing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long 
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same 
object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute des¬ 
potism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw ■ off such 
government, and to provide new guards for their future 
security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colo¬ 
nies, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to 
alter their former systems of government. The history of the 
present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries 
and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment 
of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let 
facts be submitted to a candid world: 


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


81 


He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and 
necessary for the public good. 

He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate 
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation 
till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he 
has utterly neglected to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish 
the right of representation in the legislature; a right inestima¬ 
ble to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, 
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public 
records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance 
with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for oppos¬ 
ing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the 
people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolution, to 
cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, 
incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large 
for their exercise; the State remaining, in the meantime, 
exposed to all the danger of invasion from without, and con¬ 
vulsions within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; 
for that purpose, obstructing the laws for naturalization of 
foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migra¬ 
tion hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations 
of lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of jnstice, by refusing 
his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the 
tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their 
salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither 
swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their sub¬ 
stance. 


6 


82 


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, 
without the consent of our legislature. 

He has affected to render the military independent of, and 
superior to, the civil power. 

He has combined with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction 
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; 
giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for 
any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of 
these States: 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world: 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent: 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by 

WJ' 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended 
offenses: 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neigh¬ 
boring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, 
and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an 
example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute 
rule into these colonies: 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable 
laws, and altering fundamentally, the powers of our government: 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring them¬ 
selves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases what¬ 
soever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of 
his protection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mer¬ 
cenaries to complete the work of death, desolation, and tyranny, 
already begun, with circumstances of cruelty and perhdy 
scarcely paralleled in the most barberoiis ages, and totally 
unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


83 


He has constrained onr fellow-citizens, taken captive on the 
high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the 
executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves 
by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has 
endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the 
merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an 
undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for 
redress, in tlie most humble terms; our repeated petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose 
character is thus marked by every act which may define a 
tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British 
brethren. We have warned them from time to time, of 
attempts made by their Legislature to extend an unwarranta¬ 
ble jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the 
circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We 
have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we 
have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to 
disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt 
our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been 
deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must, 
therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our sep¬ 
aration, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, 
enemies in war,'in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the UNITED STATES 
OF AMEEICA, in GENEEAL CONGEESS assembled, 
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the recti¬ 
tude of onr intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority 
of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and 
declare: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to 
be, FEEE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all 
political connection between them and the State of Great 
Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as 


84 


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full 
power to levy war, conclude jteace, contract alliances, establish 
commerce, and to do all other acts and things which INDE¬ 
PENDENT STATES may of right do. And, for the support 
of this declaration, and in a firm reliance on the protection of 
DIYINE PItOVIDENCE, we mutually pledge to each other 
our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

The foregoing declaration was, by order of Dongress, 
engrossed, and signed by the following members: 

JOHN HANCOCK. 


JS^ew Hampshire. 
JosiAH Bartlp:tt, 
William Whipple, 
Matthew Thornton. 

HTuyde Island. 
Stephen Hopkins, 
William Ellery. 

Gonnecticut. 
Roger Sherman, 
Samuel Huntington, 
William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

Ncid York. 
William Floyd, 
Philip Livingston, 
Francis Lewis, 

Lewis Morris. 

New Jersey. 
Richard Stockton, 
John Witherspoon, 
Francis Hopkinson, 
John Hart, 

Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania. 
Robert Morris, 
Benjamin Rush, 
Benjamin Franklin. 
John Morton, 
George Clymer, 
James Smith, 

George Taylor, 
James Wilson. 
George Ross. 


Massachusetts Bay. 

Samuel Adams, 

John Adams, 

Robert Treat Paine, 

Elbridge Gerry. 

Delaware. 

C^SAR Rodney, 

Georgp: Reed, 

Thomas M’Kean. 

Maryland. 

Samuel Chase. 

William Paca, 

Thomas Stone, - 

Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. 

V irginia. 

George Wythe, 

Richard Henry Lee, 

Thomas Jefferson, 

Benjamin Harrison, 

Thomas Nelson, Jun., 

Francis Lightfoot Lee, 
Carter Braxton. 

North Carolina. 

William Hooper 
Joseph Hewes, 

John Penn. 

South Carolina. 

Edward Rutledge, 

Thomas Hey wood, Jun., 

Thomas Lynch, Jun., 

Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia. 

Button Gwinnett, 

Lyman Hall, 

George Walton. 


CHAPTEE yil. 


AETICLES OF COIN FEDEEATIOK AI^D PEEPETUAL 
UNION BETWEEN THE STATES. 

To all whom these Presents shall come^ We, the undersigned 
Delegates of the States affixed to our names, send greeting — 
Whereas, the Delegates of the United States of America, in 
Congress assembled, did, on the 15th day of November, in the 
year of our Lord 1777, and in the Second Year of the Inde¬ 
pendence of'America, agree to certain Articles of Confedera¬ 
tion and Perpetual Union between the States of New Hamp¬ 
shire, Massachusetts Bay, Eliode Island and Providence 
Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva¬ 
nia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, and Georgia, in the words following, viz.: 

Articles of Confederation and Perjpetual Union between 
the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, 
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Gonnecti- 
ctit, New YorJc, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
and Georgia. 

Article 1. The style of this Confederacy shall be “ The 
United States of America.” 

Art. 2. Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom, and 
independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which 
is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United 
States in Congress assembled. 

Art. 3. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm 
league of friendsliip with each other, for their common defense, 

( 85 ) 


86 


AKTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general 
welfare, binding themselves to assist each other against all 
force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on 
account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense 
whatever. 

Art. 4. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friend¬ 
ship and intercourse among the people of the different States 
in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these States — 
paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted — shall 
be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in 
the several States; and the people of each State shall have free 
ingress and egress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy 
therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the 
same duties, impositions, and restrictions, as the inhabitants 
thereof respectively, provided that such restriction shall not 
extend so far as to prevent the removal of property, imported 
into any State, to any other State of which the owner is an 
inhabitant; provided, also, that no imposition, duties, or restric¬ 
tion shall be laid by any State on the property of the United 
States, or either of them. 

If any person guilty of or charged with treason, felony, or 
other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, 
and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand 
of the Governor, or executive power of the State from which 
he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having juris¬ 
diction of his offense. 

Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States, 
to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and 
magistrates of every other State. 

Art. 5. For the more convenient management of the gene¬ 
ral interest of the United States, Delegates shall be annually 
appointed, in such manner as the legislature of each State shall 
direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, 
in every year, with a power reserved to each State, to recall its 
Delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to 
send others in their stead, for the remainder of the year. 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


87 


No State shall be represented in Congress by less than 
two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be 
capable ot being a Delegate for more than three years in any 
term of six years; nor shall any person, being a Delegate, be 
capable of holding any office under the United States, for which 
he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or 
emolument of any kind. 

Each State shall maintain its own Delegates in any meeting 
of the States, and while they act as members of the Commit¬ 
tee of the States. 

In determining questions in the United States in Congress 
assembled, each State shall have one vote. 

Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be 
impeached or questioned in any court or place, out of Congress, 
and the members of Congress shall be protected in their per¬ 
sons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their 
going to and from, and attendance on Congress, except for 
treason, felony, or breach of the peace. 

Art. 6 . No State, without the consent of the United States 
in Congress assembled, shall send an embassy to, or receive an 
embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance, 
or treaty with any King, Prince, or State; nor shall any per¬ 
son holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, 
or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office, or 
title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince, or Foreign 
State; nor shall the United States in Congress assembled, or 
any of them, grant any title of nobility. 

No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confeder¬ 
ation, or alliance whatever between them, without the consent 
of the United States in Congress assembled, specifying accu¬ 
rately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, 
and how long it shall continue. 

No State shall lay any imposts or duties which may interfere 
vith any stipulation in treaties, entered into by the United 
States in Congress assembled, with any King, Prince, or State, 


88 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


ill pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress, to 
the Courts of France and Spain. 

No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any 
State except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary 
by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defense ot 
such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept 
up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as 
in the judgment of the United States in Congress assembled, 
shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the 
defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well 
regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accou¬ 
tred, and shall provide and have constantly ready for use, in 
public stores, a due number of field-pieces and tents, and a 
proper quantity of arms, ammunition, and camp equipage. 

No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the 
United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be actu¬ 
ally invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice 
of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to 
invade such a State, and the danger is so imminent as not to 
admit of a delay, till the United States in Congfess assembled 
can be consulted; norsliall any State grant commissions to any 
ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except 
it be after a declaration of war by the United States in 
Congress assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or 
State, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so 
declared, and under such regulations as shall be established ly 
the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be 
infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted 
out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall con¬ 
tinue, or until the United States in Congress assembled shall 
determine otherwise. 

Art. 7. When land forces are raised by any State for the 
common defense, all officers of, or under the rank of colonel, 
shall be appointed l)y the legislature of each State respectively, 
by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


89 


State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the 
State which first made the appointment. 

Art. 8. All chari^es of war, and all other expenses that 
shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, 
and allowed by the United States in Congress assembled, shall 
be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied 
by the several States, in proportion to the value of all land 
within each State, granted to or surveyed for any person, as 
such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be 
estimated according to such mode as the United States in Con¬ 
gress assembled shall, from time to time, direct and appoint. 
The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied 
by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the seve¬ 
ral States, within the time agreed upon by the United States in 
Congress assembled. 

Art. 9. The United States in Congress assembled shall 
have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining 
on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth 
article—of sending and receiving embassadors—entering into 
treaties ^nd alliances: provided that no treat}" of commerce 
shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective 
States shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and 
duties on foreigners as their own people are subjected to, or from 
prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of 
goods or commodities whatsoever — of establishing rules for 
deciding in alf cases what captures on land or water shall be 
legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces 
in the service of the United States shall be divided or appro¬ 
priated — of granting letters of marcpie and reprisal in times 
of peace—appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies 
committed on the high seas, and establishing courts for receiv¬ 
ing and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures, 
provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a 
judge of any of the said courts. 

The United States in (ingress assembled shall also be the 
last resort on appeal in all disputes and dilferences now sub- 


90 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


sisting, or tliat hereafter may arise, between two or more States 
concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any otlier cause whatever, 
which authority shall always be exercised in the manner fol¬ 
lowing : Whenever the legislative or executive authority or 
lawful agent of any State in controversy with another shall 
present a petition to Congress, stating the matter in question, 
and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by 
order of Congress, to the legislative or executive authority of 
the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the 
appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then 
be directed to apjioint, by joint consent, commissioners or 
judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the 
matter in question; but if they cannot agree. Congress shall 
name three persons out of each of the United States, and from 
the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out 
one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced 
to thirteen, and from that number not less than seven nor more 
than nine names, as Congress shall direct, shall, in the presence 
of Congress, be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names 
shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be commissioners 
or judges to hear and finally determine the controversy, so 
always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause 
shall agree in the determination ; and if either party shall 
neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing rea¬ 
sons which Congress shall judge sufficient, or, being present, 
shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate 
three persons out of each State, and the Secretary of^ Congress 
shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing ; and 
the judgment and sentence of the court to be appointed, in 
tlie manner above prescribed, shall be final and conclusive ; 
and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority 
of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the 
court shall, nevertheless, proceed to pronounce sentence or 
judgment, wliich shall in like manner be final and decisive, 
the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being in either 
case transmitted to Congress and lodged among the acts of 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 


91 


Congress for the security of the parties concerned : provided 
that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take 
an oath, to be administered by one of the judges of the Su¬ 
preme or Superior Court of the State where the cause shall be 
tried, well and truly to hear and determine the matter in 
question, according to the best of his judgment, without favor, 
affection, or hope of reward provided also that no State shall 
be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States. 

All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed 
under different grants of two or more States, whose jurisdic¬ 
tions, as they may respect such lands and the States which 
passed such grants, are adjusted, the said grants, or either of 
them, being at the same time claimed to have originated ante¬ 
cedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition 
of eitlier party to the Congress of the United States, be finally 
determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before 
prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdic¬ 
tion between different States. 

The United States in Congress assembled shall also have the 
sole exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value 
of coin struck by their own authority, or l)y that of the respec¬ 
tive States ; fixing the standard of weights and measures 
throughout the United States ; regulating the trade and man¬ 
aging all affairs with the Indians not members of any of 
the States — provided that the legislative right of any State 
within its own limits be not infringed or violated ; establishing 
or regulating post offices from one State to another, throughout 
all tlie United States, and exacting such postage on the papers 
passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the 
expenses of the said office ; appointing all officers of the land 
forces in the service of the United States, except regimental 
officers ; appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and 
commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United 
States; making rules for the government and regulation of the 
said land aiid naval forces, and directing tlieir operations. 

Tlie United States in Congress assembled shall have author- 


92 


AKTICLES OF CONP’EDERATION. 


ity to appoint a committee to sit in the recess of Congress, to 
be denominated “ A Committee of the States,” and to consist 
of one delegate from each State, and to appoint such other 
committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing 
the general affairs of the United States under their direction ; 
to appoint one of their number to preside — provided that no 
person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than 
one year in any term of three years ; to ascertain the necessary 
sums of money to be raised for the service of the United 
States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the 
public expenses ; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit 
of the United States, transmitting every half year to the respec¬ 
tive States an account of the sums of money so borrowed or 
emitted; to build and ecpiip a navy; to agree upon the number 
of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its 
quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in 
such State, which requisition shall be binding ; and thereupon 
the legislatures of each State shall appoint tlie regimental offi¬ 
cers, raise the men, and clothe, arm and eq'uip them in a sold¬ 
ierlike manner, at the expense of the United States ; and the 
officers and men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall march 
to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the 
United States in Congress assembled; but if the United States 
in Congress assembled shall, on consideration of circumstances, 
judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should 
raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other State 
should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, 
such extra number shall be raised, officered, clothed, armed 
and equipped in the same manner as the quota of such State, 
unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra 
number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case 
they shall raise, officer, clothe, arm and equip as many of such 
extra number as they judge can be safely spared; and the officers 
and men so clothed, armed and equipped shall march to the 
place appointed, and Avithin the time agreed on by the United 
States in Congress assembled. 


I 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 93 

The United States in Congress assembled shall never engage 
in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of 
peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, 
nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and 
expenses nec-essary for the defense and welfare of the United 
States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on 
the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor 
agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or pur¬ 
chased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor 
appoint a commaiider-in-chief of the army or navy, unless 
nine States assent to the same ; nor shall a question on any 
other point, except for adjourning from day to day, be deter¬ 
mined unless by the votes of a majority of the United States 
in Congress assembled. 

The Congress of the United States shall have power to ad¬ 
journ to any time within the year, and to any place within the 
United States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer 
duration than the space of six months; and. shall publish the 
journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof 
relating to treaties, alliances, or military operations, as in their 
judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the dele¬ 
gates of each State on any question shall be entered on the 
journal when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates 
of a State, or any of them, at his or their request, shall be fur¬ 
nished with a transcript of the said journal, except such parts 
as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the 
several States. 

Art. 10. The committee of the States, or any nine of them, 
shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of Congress, such 
of the powers of Congress as the United States in Congress 
assembled, by the consent of nine States, shall, from time to 
time, think expedient to vest them with ; provided that no 
power, be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of 
which, by the Articles of Confederation, the voice of nine States 
in the Congress of the United States assembled is requisite. 

Art. 11. Canada, acceding to this confederation and join¬ 
ing in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted 


94 


AKTICI^S OF CONFEDERATION. 


into, and entitled to all the advantages of, this union ; but no 
other colony shall be admitted into the same unless such admis¬ 
sion be agreed to by nine States. 

Art. 12. All bills of credit emitted, moneys borrowed, and 
debts contracted by or under the authority of Congress, before 
the assembling of the United States, in pursuance of the pres¬ 
ent confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge 
against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereol, 
the said United States and the public faith are solemnly pledged. 

Art. 13. Every State shall abide by the determinations of 
the United States in Congress assembled on all questions which, 
by this confederation, are submitted to them. And the articles 
of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every 
State, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration 
at any time hereafter be made in any of them, unless such 
alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States, and 
be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State. 

And whereas^ It hath pleased the Great Governor of the 
World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively 
represent in Congress to approve of and to authorize us to ratify 
the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual union: Know 
ye that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power 
and authority to us given for that purpose, do by these pres¬ 
ents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, 
fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said 
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, and all and 
singular tlie matters and things therein contained. And we 
do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respec¬ 
tive constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations 
of the United States in Congress assembled on all questions 
wliich, by the said confederation, are submitted to them ; and 
that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the 
States we respectively represent, and that the union shall be 
perpetual. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands 
in Congress. Done at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, the ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord 1778, and 
in the third year of the Independence of America. 


CHAPTEK YIII. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783 . 

July 4—The British troops had been driven from Boston about 
the middle of March. From that time to the last of 
June no British soldiers had a foothold anywhere in 
the thirteen colonies. England had been preparing, 
however. The aid of German troops had been 
secured, and an expedition made ready. It was a for¬ 
tunate respite, after a great success, and finding the 
mother country inexorable in her determination, in 
which to carefully consider the situation. That con¬ 
sideration had produced that noble protest of freemen 
against tyranny — The Declaration of Independence. 
It now remained to make it good by force of arms 
against a rich and powerful European empire, which 
was summoning its energies to the work of subjuga¬ 
tion. On the 28th of June General Howe landed the 
late garrison of Boston, and other troops, on Staten 
Island. 

July 12—Lord Howe arrived from England; Gen. Clinton 
returned from his repulse at Fort Moultrie, several 
Hessian regiments soon after arrived, and the British 
force amounted to 24,000; Gen. Carleton was near 
Lake Champlain with 13,000 men. The forces under 
Washington did not amount to half as many, but the 
Britisli had a salutary respect for American prowess, 
and were laboring to win the American leaders back 
by promises of pardon. 

( 95 ) 


- 96 THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

Aug. 27—The battle of Long Island. The Americans, 9,000 
strong, are attacked by the British, 15,000 strong. 
The Americans are worsted, but hold their intrenched 
camp. Washington silently and safely retreats during 
the night. The Americans lost 1,600 in killed, 
wounded and prisoners. British killed and wounded, 
400. 

Sept. 1—General Howe sends General Sullivan (American, 
taken prisoner in the late battle), to Congress to dis¬ 
cuss a compromise of the dispute between England 
and the Colonies. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, 
and Edward Bntledge, are appointed to meet English 
commissioners. They meet on Staten Island, but can 
make no arrangements. 

Sept. 15—British army takes possession of 'New York. Gen¬ 
eral Washington’s army being largely made up of 
militia, which come and go, he adopts “ The Fabian 
Policy ” of avoiding general engagements, keeping 
the enemy harrassed and in constant movement. 
This saved the American cause. 

Sept. 26—Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee 
appointed commissioners to France. 

Hov. 1—Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, chosen President 
of Congress. 

Nov. 16—Fort Wasliington, at the north end of Manhattan 
Island, assaulted by the British, in force. The fort 
was taken with 2,000 prisoners. The British loss was 
1,200 in killed and wounded. 

Nov. 18—Americans evacuate Fort Lee, on the Hudson, above 
New York. 

Nov. 28—Washington retreats across the Delaware into Penn¬ 
sylvania. 

Dec. 7 —Gen. Lee disobeys the instructions of Washington 
and is taken prisoner by the British. 

Dec. 8—A British naval force takes possession of Newport, 
Bhode Island. 


THE KEVOLUTIONAKY WAR. 97 

Dec. 12—The British army being stationed along the Dela¬ 
ware, in New Jersey, Congress adjourns from Phila¬ 
delphia to Baltimore. 

Dec. 26-27—Washington suddenly crosses the Delaware and 
surprises Trenton. He captures 1,000 Hessians and 
six cannon, with a loss of four killed. In this year 
about 350 British merchant vessels had been taken 
by Americans. 

1777. 

Jan. 2—Washington having re-occupied Trenton, Lord Corn¬ 
wallis marches a strong force to attack him. 

Jan. 3—The American army silently retreat in the night and 
capture Princeton, with 300 prisoners. British loss 
in killed and wounded, 100. American loss about 
the same. General Mercer killed. 

Feb. 6—Letters of Marque and Reprisal granted by the Eng¬ 
lish against American commerce. 

March 4—Congress returns to Philadelphia. 

23—American stores destroyed at Peekskill, New York.. 

April 26—Danbury, Connecticut, burned by the British. 

May 24 —This outrage is retaliated by Colonel Meigs, of Con¬ 
necticut, who lands on Long Island with 200 men, 
destroys twelve vessels, large quantities of provision 
and forage, takes ninety prisoners, and retreats with¬ 
out the loss of a man. 

May 27 —Button Gwinnett, of Georgia, one of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence, is killed in a duel.. 

June 22—Gen. Howe evacuates New Brunswick, New Jer¬ 
sey, and retires in order to draw Washington into a 
battle. Washington advances till he penetrates the 
design of the enemy, when he retreats to a strong 
position and foils the British. 

June 30—General Howe embarks 16,000 troops at Staten 
Island for Philadelphia. About this time the French 
Marquis De Lafayette, a youth of nineteen, arrived 
7 


98 THE EEVOLUTIONAEY WAE. 

in America, with twelve other foreign officers, to aid 
the American cause. 

July 1 —British Gen. Burgoyne appears before Fort Ticon- 
deroga. 

“ 5 —Americans evacuate Ticonderoga. 

7 Americans retreating trom Ticonderoga, are defeated 
at Hubbard ton. 

“ 7 United States frigate Hancock captured by three 

English vessels. 

“ 29 Burgoyne’s army, constantly victorious, reaches the 
Hudson. 

Aug. 3—British Gen. St. Leger invests Fort Stanwix (Utica. 
Hew York). 

“ 6 American Gen. Herkimer defeated near Fort Stan¬ 

wix. American loss 400. Gen. Herkimer killed. 

“16 Battle of Bennington, Vermont. A victory for the 
“ Green Mountain Boys.” British lost 200 killed, 
600 prisoners, 1,000 stand of arms, 1,000 swords, and 
four cannon. American loss fourteen killed and 
forty-two wounded. This turned the tide against 
Burgoyne. 

“ 22 Gen. Arnold raises the siege of Fort Stanwix. St. 
Leger loses his artillery, tents, and stores. 

“11 Washington’s army defeated by the British at the 
battle of the Brandywine, near Wilmington, Dela¬ 
ware. Washington retreats in good order. 

“ 18 Congress adjourns from Philadelphia to Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania 

“ 19 Battle of Stillwater between Gates, American, and 
Gen. Burgoyne. Burgoyne held the held, but lost 
500 men; Gates 300. 

Sept. 16—Washington advances across the Schuylkill to attack 
the British, when a violent storm stops the conhict. 
The arms of the Americans are rendered unservicea¬ 
ble by the rain. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 


99 


Sept.20—Gen. Wayne, surprised at Paoli, retreats with loss 
of 300 men. 

26 The British enter Philadelphia. 

Oct. 4 — Battle of Germantown. Washington, with an infe¬ 
rior army, is again defeated. British loss 600. 
American loss over 1,000. 

7 Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne is defeated, and part 
of his camp with stores and ammunition, much 
needed by the Americans, captured. British loss 400. 
They retreated in the night. 

15 Kingston, Kew York, burned by the British. They 
had taken forts Clinton and Montgomery, defending 
the river below, October 6th. This was an effort to 
aid Burgoyne, but it failed, being too late, and they 
retreated down the river. 

17 Gen. Burgoyne surrenders his whole army to 
Gen. Gates. The prisoners amounted to 5,647. 
Burgoyne had lost about 4,000 since his capture of 
Ticonderoga. Thirty-five brass field-pieces and 5,000 
stand of arms fell into the hands of the Americans. 
Washington, as commander-in-chief, had diminished 
his own army till it was much inferior to the British 
he was facing, to secure the success of the northern 
army against Burgoyne. This was the turning point 
of tho war. Its immediate result was a treaty of 
alliance with France. 

22 Count Donop, with 1,200 Hessians, attacks the Amer¬ 
ican fort at Bed Bank, below Philadelphia, and is 
repulsed by Colonel Green with 400 men. Donop is 
killed, and the British retire with a loss of 500 men 
and two vessels of war. 

Kov. 15—“The Articles of Confederation” adopted by Con¬ 
gress. 

16-18 Americans abandon Mud Island, and Fort Mercer, 
below Philadelphia. 

Dec. 11—Washington establishes his army in winter quarters 


100 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 


at Yalley Forge. During this year American prison¬ 
ers were treated with great cruelty at New York. 
G-eneral Gates, who had really succeeded in capturing 
Burgoyne only by the aid of Generals Schuyler and 
Arnold, intrigues against Washington. When this 
became known the general indignation killed the 
scheme. 

1778. 

The American cause was really gained by the war of the pre¬ 
vious year. The Americans were so far unanimous, and so 
spirited, that the British had not been able to get a perma¬ 
nent hold on any part of the country, save what was occupied 
by their armies in force. 

Jan. 30—A treaty of alliance is made with France. 

Mar. 4—The American frigate Alfred, of twenty guns, cap¬ 
tured by two English vessels of war. 

20—^The American Minister presented at the French Court. 
Apr.18—Count d’ Estaing leaves Toulon, France, with a 
fleet to aid the Americans in the war. 

Jun. 12—Philip Livingston, of New York, one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence, died. 

17— The British Parliament having appointed three Com¬ 
missioners, the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Auckland, and 
Governor Johnstone, to treat for peace with the 
colonies, on the basis of granting everything they 
had asked, except independence. Congress replies, 
refusing all intercourse unless the independence of 
the States were first recognized, and the English army 
withdrawn. Two years before, this would have been 
eagerly accepted. England had lost, at the beginning 
of this year, twenty thousand men, and 650 vessels, 
taken by American cruisers, worth twelve million 
dollars, and had spent one hundred million dollars 
on militaiy armaments in America. 

18— The English, afraid of being blockaded in the Dela¬ 
ware river, by the French fleet, evacuate Philadelphia. 


THE REVOLUTIONAKY WAR. 


101 


Jim. 28—Battle of Morristown; Washington wins. The Brit¬ 
ish retreat in the night. Lord Cornwallis commanded. 

July 4-5—“ The massacre of Wyoming ” by the Indians, under 
Tory influence. About 400 troops, and most of the 
inhabitants killed. 

Aug. 15—General Sullivan besieges the English in Newport. 

28-29—Count d’ Estaing, who was to have supported Gen¬ 
eral Sullivan by a naval attack on Newport, Bhode 
Island, having suffered severe loss in an engagement 
with the English fleet, and withdrawn to Boston to 
refit, Sullivan retires, but is attacked by the British. 
He repulses them, and retreats from Bhode Island. 

Dec. 29—Savannah, Geo., taken by the British. 

1779. 

The British direct their main efforts, this year, to tlie South¬ 
ern States, and overrun Georgia and part of South Carolina. 

Mar. 3—American force under Ashe surprised by Brigadier- 
General Prevost; loss 1,600. 

May 2—Yerplank’s Point, on the Hudson river, surrenders to 
British forces. 

10—Norfolk and Portsmouth taken and partially burned 
by the British. 

Stony Point, on the Hudson, evacuated by the Amer¬ 
icans and occupied by the British. 

12—Prevost makes an attempt on Charleston, South Car¬ 
olina, but fails. 

June 6—Patrick Henry, a distinguished patriot, died, aged 
63. 

20—Gen. Lincoln, American, attacks Prevost, at Stone 
Biver. He is repulsed, and Prevost retires to 
Georgia. 

July 4—Governor Tryon makes a descent, in Connecticut, 
destroys the shipping at New Haven, and burns Fair- 
field, Norwalk, and Greenwich. He is called off 

July 16—from this barbarous work by the alarm of Gen. 

Clinton at the attack of Gen. Wayne on Stony 


102 


THE REVOLUTIONAKY WAR. 


Point. It was a complete surprise. Sixty of the 
British were killed and 550 made prisoners. Amer¬ 
ican loss, 100. 

19—Major Lee (“ Light Horse Harry captured the gar¬ 
rison at Paulus’ Hook (Jersey City). The British lost 
30 killed, and 159 prisoners. 

Aug. 29—Gen. Sullivan is sent with an army to punish the 
Indians for the massacre of Wyoming and Cherry 
Valley. He defeats them in a light near Elmira, 
Hew York, and lays waste their country. He burned 
more than forty of their towns, and destroyed their 
provisions and crops. 

Sept. 24—Paul Jones, in a desperate naval engagement with 
seven English vessels, on the coast of Scotland, cap¬ 
tures two of the enemy’s vessels. 

Oct. 9—The combined French and American forces make an 
attack on Savannah, Geo. They are repulsed with 
a loss of 1,000 men. Count Pulaski was killed. 
Joseph Hewes, of H. C., Thomas Lynch, of S. C., 
and George Boss, of Pa., signers of the Declaration of 
Independence, died during this year. 

1780. 

Jan. —The British send a large force to capture Charleston, 
S. C., and overrun that State. 

Feb. 11—British troops are landed on St. Johns Island, and 
the fleet blockades Charleston. 

May 6—Fort Moultrie, being invested by sea and land, sur¬ 
renders to the British. 

12—Charleston surrendered by Gen. Lincoln. 

29—Col. Tarleton surprises Buford, American, at Wax- 
haws. Buford is totally defeated. South Carolina 
is now’ treated as a royal province, all opposition 
being overcome, for the present. 

June 23—A sharp action betw’een the British Generals Knip- 
hausen and Clinton, with 6,000 troops, and Gen. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 


103 


Greene, with 1,5U0. The town of Springfield was 
burned, but Greene, taking a strong position, stopped 
the advance of the enemy, and he retired to Staten 
Island. 

July 10—The Count de Eochambeau, with a fleet and 6,000 
French troops, arrives at Newport, E. I. They are 
blockaded by the British. 

Aug. 6—Col. Sumter gains a brilliant victory at Hanging 
Eock, S. C. 

16—Battle of Camden, between Lord Cornwallis and Gen. 
Gates. The American army was superior in num¬ 
bers (5,600; Cornwallis not much more than 2,000). 
Gates’ army was largely composed of militia, which 
caught a panic at the first attack. The Americans 
lost 1,800 killed, wounded, and prisoners. British 
loss, 325. 

18—Tarleton surprises and totally defeats Sumter. 

Sept. 21—Major Andre, of the British army, arranges with 
Arnold for the surrender of the fortress of West 
Point, on the Hudson, to the British. The plot mis¬ 
carries, Arnold escapes, and Andre is captured. 

Oct. 2—Major Andre is hung as a spy. 

7—The British commander, Ferguson, is defeated and 
killed by a body of American back-woodsmen, at 
Kings Mountain, South Carolina. 300 British 
killed and wounded, and 800 made prisoners 
John Hart, of New J ersey, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, died this year. 

1781. 

Jan. —An insurrection broke out among the Pennsylvania 
and other troops of the American army in this month, 
on account of the failure of Congress to pay them. 
It threatened serious consequences, but was subdued 
by the moderation and influence of Washington. 

4—Arnold, the traitor, landed in Virginia, and laid waste 
the country. 


104 


THE KEVOLUTIONAKY WAR. 


17—Battle of the “ Cowpens,” South Carohna. Colonel 
Morgan, American, totally defeated Colonel Tarleton, 
who lost six hundred men, with his baggage and 
artillery. Morgan lost eighty men. 

Feb. 23—George Taylor, of Pennsylvania, signer of the Dec¬ 
laration of Independence, died. 

28—Bichard Stockton, of New Jersey signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, died. 

15—Battle of Guildford Court House North Carolina. 
Gen. Greene, American commander, and Lord 
Cornwallis, after long skirmishing, came to a battle. 
Greene’s army was mostly raw militia, which broke 
and fled. Greene was worsted, but retreated in quiet. 
His loss was 400; Cornwallis’, 500. So heavy a loss 
was as bad as a defeat to Cornwallis. 

Apr. 25—Battle of Hobkirks Hill. General Greene attacked 
by Lord Bawdon. The Americans driven from the 
fleld. Loss on each side, 250. 

May 10—Lord Bawdon evacuates Camden, South Carolina. 

21—Several British forts in South Carolina captured by 
Marion and Sumter, the British losing in them 800 
troops. 

28—The American frigate Alliance captures two British 
sloops of war. 

June 5—General Pickens, with militia, captures Augusta, 
Georgia. Lafayette had been maneuvering with the 
British forces in Virginia since April, with great 
ability. Though much inferior, he constantly held 
them in check, and avoided a battle. 

July 6—Cornwallis, after a sharp skirmish with Lafayette, at 
Jamestown, retires to Portsmouth, Virginia. The 
British troops had, in three months, destroyed $10,- 
000,000 worth of property in Yirginia. 

Aug. 1—Cornwallis takes post at Yorktown, Yirginia, and 
fortifies it. His force consists of 8,000 men. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 


105 


17—It is arranged that the combined French and Amer¬ 
ican forces shall attack Cornwallis, in Virginia. 

25—Supplies and money for the American armies landed 
at Boston, from France. 

Sept. 5—Forts Trumbull and Griswold, in Connecticut, taken 
by the British, under Arnold, with circumstances of 
great atrocity, and New London burned. 

8—Battle of Eutaw Springs. Both sides claim the vic¬ 
tory. The loss was about equal—seven hundred on 
each side. The advantage, in the end, was in favor 
of the Americans, though they were repulsed. The 
British soon retired. 

10—The French fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay with 
heavy artilery for the siege of Yorktown, while De 
Grasse, the French Admiral, with a large squadron, 
guards the entrance against the British. 

Oct. 6—The allied army, 16,000 strong, commence the siege 
of Yorktown. 

19—Cornwallis surrenders Yorktown, and 7,000 troops, 
prisoners of war. 

25—Colonel Willett repulses 600 tories, at Johnstown, 
New York, with loss. 

Dec 31—Henry Laurens, United States Minister to France, 
sometime a prisoner in London, England, was 
exchanged for Gen. Burgoyne. 

1782. 

The war was now practically concluded. The flnances of 
the United States, the sad condition of which had so much 
interfered with the collection and support of strong and well- 
disciplined armies, had been lately supported by loans from 
France and Holland. The Americans were stronger than ever, 
the British could not hold possession even of the Southern 
States, where there were more royalist inhabitants than fur¬ 
ther north ; and the aid of France on the sea really made the 
Americans invincible. England could no longer raise the 
money or the troops to continue the struggle. . 


THE KEVOLTJTIONAKY WAR. 


The year 1782 was mostly spent in negotiations. The dif- 

culties of arranging the terms were great; and the boundaries 

of the new Government were a subject of much dispute. 

Mar. 4—Kesolutions were passed in the English Parliament, 
in favor of peace. 

Apr. 19—Holland acknowledges American independence. 

July 11—Savannah, Georgia, evacuated by the British, and 
occupied by General Wayne. The British carried 
off 5,000 negroes. Great discontent arose in the army 
in regard to pay, and only the great influence of 
Washington, and the wise moderation of American 
statesmen in Congress, prevented serious outbreaks. 
Franklin, Adams, Jay, and Laurens, were the Ameri¬ 
can Commissioners who arranged terms of peace. 
Various Indian wars raged on the frontiers during 
this year. 

1783. 

Jan. 20—Tlie preliminary treaty, providing for the cessation 
of hostilities between England and the United States, 
was signed. 

Feb. 5—^The Independence of the United States acknowledged 
by Sweden. 

Mar. 24—The Independence of the United States acknowledged 
by Denmark. 

The Independence of the United States acknowledged 
by Spain. 

Apr. 19—Cessation of hostilities officially proclaimed in the 
United States—just eight years from the beginning 
of the war. Estimated loss of men during the war, 
seventy thousand. 


CHAPTEE IX. 


THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787. 

The successful tennination of the Eevolutionarj War of 
seven years made the United Colonies which had commenced 
it, in fact, as well as in their Declaration, Free and Independ¬ 
ent States. Toward the close of the war they had adopted 
Articles of Confederation. These w^ere soon found to be inad¬ 
equate to secure the general welfare, and without sulRcient 
authority to carry their measures into effect. Xo sufficient 
means were supplied by them to maintain the public credit, 
and all the interests of the country languished. 

They formed the Bond of Union for six years or more, and 
served an excellent purpose in calling the attention of states¬ 
men and the people to the points most important in the con¬ 
stitution of a vigorous government. It was the trial essay, and 
the intelligence of the leading men of that period turned it to 
great profit. 

In 1786 the legislature of Virginia proposed a convention of 
commissioners to improve the condition of trade and commerce. 
These commissioners met and recommended Congress to call a 
General Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
This convention assembled in May, 1787, in Philadelphia; all 
the States except Ehode Island being represented. George 
Washington was chosen president. The members of this con¬ 
vention were the representatives of a people who had proved 
their firmness and attachment to liberty during a long war and 
against great difficulties. The delegates were men of tried 
patriotism, and the event has proved their wise and discrimi- 

( 107 ) 


108 


CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 


natiiig foresight. The system of government they planned is 
their most eloquent eulogy. The severe tests to which the 
expansion of the nation and the conflicts of sections and inter¬ 
ests have subjected it, have served only the more fully to reveal 
how perfectly they comprehended the principles of a republi¬ 
can government, and their singular skill in arrangement. The}^ 
combined the utmost vigor with the greatest security of rights. 
It is a glorious monument to their j)olitical insight. They, 
themselves, were not aware how profound was the wisdom, how 
complete the adaptation of its provisions. They signed it with 
many misgivings, on the 17th of September, 1787, after four 
months of diligent labor. It was then presented to the people 
for their ratification. They were cautious and prudent in 
those times, and could not appreciate as we do now, the extreme 
value of the work that had been accomplished. Time was 
required to bring out its excellences, and show how few and 
comparatively unimportant were its defects. It was examined 
with careful attention, and finally adopted as follows: 


By Convention of Delaware. 

‘‘ “ Pennsylvania. .. 

“ ‘‘ New Jersey.... 

“ Georgia. 

‘‘ “ Connecticut. 

“ “ Massachusetts. . 

“ ‘‘ Maryland. 

“ “ Soiitli Carolina. , 

“ “ New Hampshire 

“ Virginia. 


New York. 

North Carolina 
Bhode Island. . 


.7th December, 1787 
12th December, 1787 
18th December, 1787 
. .. .2d January, 1788 
. . .9th January, 1788 
. .6th February, 1788 
... .28th April, 1788 

.28th May, 1788 

.21st June, 1788 

.26th June, 1788 

.26th July, 1788 

.21st November, 1789 
.29th May, 1790 


As shown above, two years passed before it was finally rati¬ 
fied by all the States. Both the delay and the final unanimity 
in its acceptance, giving testimony to the prudence and thought¬ 
fulness of the people. 















CONSHTUTIONAL CONVENTION. 


109 


Electors of President and Vice-President were chosen in the 
winter of 1788-1789. March 4th had been appointed as the 
time for tlie government to go into operation, but a delay in 
assembling the members of Congress deferred the inaugura¬ 
tion of Washington, as first President, until April 30th. Con¬ 
gress immediately organized the new government, and, in con¬ 
junction with the President, appointed the necessary officers. 
Some minor provisions were added or changed by the first Con¬ 
gress in the manner provided by the Constitution itself, that 
is, by a two-thirds vote in both Houses, and ratification by 
three-fourths of the States. 

Ten amendments were made at this time. The eleventh 
amendment was added in 1794. The twelfth in 1803. The 
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments have been 
added since 1863. 

A resolution to amend is passed by the requisite majorities 
in both Houses, sent to the legislatures of the States, and, 
when three-fourths of them have approved it, the Secretary of 
State causes the resolution and amendment to be published in 
all the States and Territories, and it becomes valid as part of 
the Constitution. 

Containing the wisest provisions of English law, it rejects 
all that is not in harmony with our circumstances, and our fun¬ 
damental doctrine that all men have equal rights to life, lib¬ 
erty, and the pursuit of happiness. This it keeps continually 
in view, and, by the sense of dignity and worth which it tends 
to promote in the humblest man, gradually educates him up to 
the standard necessary for a free citizen, and, by its respect for 
the rights of all, tends to induce in each the same disposition. 

The wisest men of the Pepublic, by infusing into this docu¬ 
ment their own self-respect, and respect for others, gave tone 
and direction to all the future. Their own characters were so 
far imparted to their work as to exert a salutary influence on 
the destiny of the people whose fundamental law they com¬ 
piled. 

This document is the law of the land, obliging the highest 


110 


CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S. 


to obedience, to justice, and right, and raising the lowest to an 
equal share in its political privileges, and to its vigorous pro¬ 
tection. Consequently a steady improvement in these respects 
has marked the growth of the country, and the benign influ¬ 
ence of this respect for man and his rights has gone forth from 
the American Republic as a Regenerator among the nations ot 
the earth. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF 
AMERICA, AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 

We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more 
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquil¬ 
lity, provide for the common defense, promote the general 
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves 
and our posterity, do ordain and establish this CoNSTn’u- 
TioN for the United States of America. 

Akticle I. 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be 
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist 
of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed 
of members chosen every second year by the people of the 
several States, and the electors in each State shall have the 
qualifications recjuisite for electors of the most numerous 
branch of the State Legislature. 

Ho person shall be a Representative who shall not have 
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years 
a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, 
be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among 
the several States which may be included within this Union, 
according to their respective numbers, which shall be deter¬ 
mined by adding to the whole number of free persons, includ¬ 
ing those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding 
Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual 


CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S. 


Ill 


enumeration shall be made within three years after the first 
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within 
every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall 
by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed 
one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least 
one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made 
the State of Uew Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, 
Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
one, Connecticut five, Hew York six. Hew Jersey four, Penn¬ 
sylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, Horth 
Carolina five, and Georgia three. 

W^hen vacancies happen in the representation from any State, 
the Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to 
fill such vacancies. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and 
other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec. 3.. The Senate of the United States shall be composed 
of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature 
thereof for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence 
of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be 
into three classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class 
shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the 
second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the 
third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third 
may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by 
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature 
of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary ap¬ 
pointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which 
shall then fill such vacancies. 

Ho person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to 
the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the 
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabit¬ 
ant of that State for which he shall be chosen. 

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of 
the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. 


112 


CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S. 


The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a Presi¬ 
dent pro tempore^ in the absence of the Vice - President, or 
when he shall exercise the office of President of the United 
States. 

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 
When sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirm¬ 
ation. When the President of the United States is tried, the 
( diief Justice shall preside. And no person shall be con¬ 
victed without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members 
present. 

Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further 
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and 
enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United 
States ; hut the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and 
subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment accord¬ 
ing to law. 

Sec. 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections 
for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each 
State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any 
time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the 
places of choosing Senators. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and 
such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless 
they shall by law appoint a different day. 

Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, 
returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority 
of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller 
number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized 
to compel the attendance of absent members in such manner 
and under such penalties as each house may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, pun¬ 
ish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concur¬ 
rence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from 
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in 
their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


113 


members of either house on any question shall, at the desire 
of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. 

Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, with¬ 
out the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, 
nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall 
be sitting. 

Sec. 6 . The Senators and Representatives shall receive a 
compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and 
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in 
all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be 
privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session 
of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from 
the same; and for any speech or debate in either House they 
shall not be questioned in any other place. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for 
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the 
authority of the United States, which shall have been created, 
or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during 
such time; and no person holding any office under the United 
States, shall be a member of either house during his continuance 
in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the 
House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or con¬ 
cur with amendments as on other bills. 

Every bill which shall have passed the House of Represent¬ 
atives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be pre¬ 
sented to the President of the United States; if he approve he 
shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, 
to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter 
the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to recon¬ 
sider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House 
shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the 
objection, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be 
reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it 
shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both 
Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names 
8 


114 


CONSTITTJTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall 
not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays 
excepted), after it shall have been presented to him, the same 
shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the 
Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which 
case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of 
the Senate and House of Kepresentatives may be necessary 
(except on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the 
President of the United States, and before the same shall take 
effect shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, 
shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of 
Kepresentatives, according to the rules and limitations pre¬ 
scribed in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power — 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay 
the debts and provide for the common defense and general 
welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States; 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the 
several States, and with the Indian tribes; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform 
laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United 
States; 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securi¬ 
ties and current coin of the United States; 

To establish post offices and post roads; 

The promote the progress of sciences and useful arts, by 
securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclu¬ 
sive right to their respective writings and discoveries; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


115 


To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the 
high seas, and offenses against the law of nations; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and 
make rules concerning captures on land and water; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money 
to that use shall be for a longer term than two years; 

To provide and maintain a navy; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the 
land and naval forces; 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws 
of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; 

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the mili¬ 
tia, and for governing such part of tliem as may be employed 
in the service of the United States, reserving to the States 
respectively the appointment of the officers, and the authority 
of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed 
by Congress. 

To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such dis¬ 
trict (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of 
particular States and the acceptance of Congress, become the 
seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise 
like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the 
Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the 
erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other 
needful buildings; and 

To make all laws which shall he necessary and proper for 
carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other 
powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the 
United States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as 
any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, 
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one 
thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be 
imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each 
person. 

Tlie privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus- 


116 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


pended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public 
safety may require it. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall belaid, unless in pro¬ 
portion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to 
be taken. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any 
State. 

No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce 
or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another; nor 
shall vessels bound to, or from one State, be obliged to enter, 
clear, or pay duties in another. ^ 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in conse¬ 
quence of appropriations made by law; and a regular state¬ 
ment and account of the receipts and expenditures of all pub¬ 
lic money shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; 
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, 
shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any pres¬ 
ent, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any 
king, prince, or foreign State. 

Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or 
confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin 
money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and sil¬ 
ver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attain¬ 
der, ex jpost facto law, or law impairing the obligation of 
contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any 
imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be 
absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws, and the 
net produce of all duties and imposts laid by any State on 
imports or exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the 
United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revis¬ 
ion and control of the Congress. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any 
duty on tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


117 


enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or 
with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually inva¬ 
ded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. 

Article II. 

Section 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a Presi¬ 
dent of the United States of America. He shall hold his 
office during the term of four years, and, together with the 
Vice-President chosen for the same term, be elected as fol¬ 
lows: 

Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole 
number of Senators and Kepresentatives to which the State 
may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Represen¬ 
tative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the 
United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 
by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall 
make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of 
votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and trans¬ 
mit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, 
directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the 
Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Rep¬ 
resentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then 
be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes 
shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more 
than one who have such majority, and have an equal number 
of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately 
choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person 
have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said 
House shall in like manner choose the President. But in 
choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by States, the 

* This clause within brackets has been superceded and annulled by the 
12th amendment. 


118 


CONSTITUTIOJ!^ AND AMENDMENTS. 


representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for 
this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be 
necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the 
President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the 
electors shall be the Vice-President. But if there should 
remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall 
choose from them by ballot the Vice-President.] 

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the elect¬ 
ors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which 
day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

Ho person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the 
United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, 
shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any 
person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained the 
age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident 
within the United States. 

In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his 
death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and 
duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice- 
President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case 
of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the Presi¬ 
dent and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then act 
as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the 
disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services 
a compensation which shall neither be increased nor dimin¬ 
ished during the period for which he shall have been elected, 
and he shall not receive within that period any other emolu¬ 
ment from the United States, or any of them. 

Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take 
the following oath or affirmation: 

‘‘ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe¬ 
cute the office of President of the United States, and will, to 
the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Con¬ 
stitution of the United States.” 


CONSTITUTION AND AJVIENDMENTS. 


119 


Sec. 2. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the 
army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the 
several States, when called into the actual service of the United 
States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the princi¬ 
pal officer in each of the Executive departments, upon any 
subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he 
shall have power to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses 
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Sena¬ 
tors present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with 
the advice of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other pub¬ 
lic ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all 
other officers of the United States whose appointments are not 
herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established 
by law; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of 
such inferior officers as they think proper in the President 
alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that 
may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting com¬ 
missions which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress 
information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their 
consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and 
expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between 
them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn 
them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive 
ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that 
the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the 
officers of the United States. 

Sec. 4. The President, Yice-President, and all civil officers 
of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeach¬ 
ment for, and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high 
crimes and misdemeanors. 


120 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


Akhcle III. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be 
vested in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as the 
Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The 
J udges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their 
offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive 
for their services a compensation, which shall not be dimin¬ 
ished during their continuance in office. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law 
and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the 
United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
their authority; — to all cases affecting ambassadors, other pub¬ 
lic ministers, and consuls; — to all cases of admiralty and mar¬ 
itime jurisdiction; — to controversies to which the United 
States shall be a party; — to controversies between two or more 
States; — between a State and citizens of another State; — 
between citizens of different States; — between citizens of the 
same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and 
between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign States, 
citizens, or subjects. 

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, 
and consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party, the 
Supreme Court shall have original j iirisdiction. 

In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court 
shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with 
such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress 
shall make. 

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall 
be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where the 
said crimes shall have been committed; but when not com¬ 
mitted within any State, the trial shall be at such place or 
places as the Congress ma}^ by law have directed. 

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only 
in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, 
giving them aid and comfort. Ko person shall be convicted 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


121 


of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same 
overt act, or on confession in open court. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of 
treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of 
blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person 
attainted. 

Akhcle IY. 

Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each 
State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of 
every other State. And the Congress may, by general laws, 
prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceed¬ 
ings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all 
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. 

A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another 
State, shall, on demand of the Executive authority of the State 
from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State 
having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one State, under the 
laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of 
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service 
or labor, but shall be delivered up on the claim of the party to 
whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3 . New States may be admitted by the Congress 
into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected 
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be 
formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of 
States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States 
concerned, as well as of the Congress. 

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all 
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this 
Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims 
of the United States, or of any particular State. 

Sec. 4. Tlie United States shall guarantee to every State 


122 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall 
protect each of them against invasion, and on application of 
the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature can¬ 
not be convened), against domestic violence. 

Article Y. 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall 
deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitu¬ 
tion, or, on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds 
of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing 
amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents 
and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by 
the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by 
conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other 
mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress. Pro¬ 
vided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 
one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner 
afiect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the 
first article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be 
deprived of its equal sulfrage in the Senate. 

Article YI. 

All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before 
the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the 
United States under this Constitution, as under the Confed¬ 
eration. 

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which 
shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or 
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, 
shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every 
State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or 
laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the 
members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several 
States, shall be bound by oath or afi&rmation, to support this 
Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


12a 


a qualification to any ofiice or public trust under the United 
States. 


Article VII. 

Tlie ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be 
sufticieut for the establishment of this Constitution between 
the States so ratifying the same. 

Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the States 
present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, 
and of the Independence ol the United States of ximerica, 
the twelfth. In Witness AVhereof, We have hereunto 


subscribed our names. 


New Hampshire. 
John Langdon, 
Nicholas Gilman. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel Gorham, 
Rufus King. 

Connecticut. 
Wm. Sam’l Johnson, 
Roger Sherman. 

New York. 

Alexander Hamilton. 

New Jersey. 
WiL. Livingston, 

Wm. Paterson,. 

David Brearley, 
JoNA. Dayton. 

Pennsylvania. 
B. Franklin, 

Robt. Morris, 

Tiios. Fitzsimons, 
James Wilson, 

Thomas Mifflin, 

Geo. Clymer, 

Jared Ingersoll, 
Gouv. Morris. 


GEO. WASHUSTGTON, 

President., and Deputy from Virginia. 

Delaware. 

Geo. Read, 

John Dickinson, 

Jaco. Broom, 

Gunning Bedford, Jun’r, 

Richard Bassett. 

Maryland. 

James M’Henry, 

Danl. CarroIvL, 

Dan. of St. Thos. J enifer. 

Virginia. 

John Blair, 

James Madison, Jr. 

North Carolina. 

Wm. Blount, 

Hu. Williamson, 

Rich’d Dobbs Spaight. 

South Carolina. 

J. Rutledge, 

Charles Pinckney, 

Chas. Cotes worth Pinckney, 
Pierce Butler. 

Georgia. 

William Few, 

Abr. Baldwin. 

WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. 


124 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


Articles in Addition to, and Amendatory of, the Con¬ 
stitution OF THE United States of America. 

Proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant 
to the fifth article of the original Constitution. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of 
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the peo¬ 
ple peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government lor 
a redress of grievances. 

Article II. 

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of 
a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms 
shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

Uo soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house 
without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a 
manner to be prescribed by law. 

Article IY. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and elfects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, 
shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but upon 
probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particu¬ 
larly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or 
things to be seized. 


Article Y. 

1^0 person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise 
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a 
Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, 
or in the militia wffien in actual service in time of war or public 
danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense 
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be com- 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


125 


pelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, 
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due 
process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public 
use, without just compensation. 

Article YI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the 
State and district wherein the crime shall have been commit¬ 
ted, which district shall have been previously ascertained by 
law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the,accusa¬ 
tion; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have 
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and 
to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article YII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall 
exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be 
preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise 
re-examined in any court of the United States, than according 
to the rules of the common law. 

Article YIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Article IX. 

The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, sliall 
not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the 
people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Con¬ 
stitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the 
States respectively, or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be con- 


126 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


strued to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or 
prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of 
another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. 

Article XII. 

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 
by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at 
least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with them¬ 
selves; they shall name in their ballots the person to be voted 
for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as 
Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons 
voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice- 
President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they 
shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the 
government of the United States, directed to the President of 
the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in presence of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certifi¬ 
cates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having 
the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the Presi¬ 
dent, if such number be a majority of the whole number of 
electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, 
then from the persons having the highest number not exceed¬ 
ing three on the list of those voted for as President, the House 
of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the 
President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 
taken by States, the representation from each State having one 
vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or 
members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all 
the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House 
of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the 
right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day 
of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as 
President, as in the case of the death or other Constitutional 
disability of the President. The person having the greatest 
number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, if such number be a majority of the whole number of 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


127 


electors appointed, and if no person have a majority,, tlien 
from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall 
choose the Yice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall con¬ 
sist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a 
majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 
But no person Constitutionally ineligible to the office of Presi¬ 
dent shall be eligible to that of Yice-President of the United 
States. 


Article XIII. 

Section 1. Xeither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except 
as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been 
duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any 
place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 

Article XIY. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United 
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of 
the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. Xo 
State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the 
privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor 
shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its 
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. 2. Kepresentatives shall be appointed among the several 
States according to their respective numbers, counting the 
whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not 
taxed; but when the right to vote at any election for the choice 
of electors for President and Yice-President of the United 
States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial 
officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, 
is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being 
twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or 
in any way abridged except for participation in rebellion or 


128 


CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS. 


other crimes, the basis of representation therein shall be 
reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citi¬ 
zens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twentj-one 
years of age in such State. 

Sec. 3 . No person shall be a Senator or Eepresentative in 
Congress, or elector of President and Yice-President, or hold 
any office, civil or military, under the United States or under 
any State, who, having previously taken an oath as a Member of 
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member 
of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer 
of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, 
shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But 
Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove 
such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United 
States authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment 
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrec¬ 
tion or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the 
United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or 
obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion 
against the United States, or any loss or emancipation of any 
slave, but such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held 
illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by 
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this act. 

Article XY. 

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to 
vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or 
or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condi¬ 
tion of servitude. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article 
by appropriate legislation. 


CHAPTER X. 


PRESIDENTS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, AND THE VARIOUS 
SEATS OF GOVERNMENT FROM 1774 TO 1789. 


Pejton Randolph, Yirginia.5th Sept., 1774 

Henry Middleton, South Carolina.22d Oct., 1774 

Peyton Randolph, Yirginia.10th May, 1775 

John Hancock, Massachusetts.24th May, 1775 

Henry Laurens, South Carolina.1st Nov., 177T 

John Jay, New York .10th Dec., 1778 

Samuel Huntingdon, Connecticut..28th Sept., 1779 

Thomas McKean, Delaware.10th July, 1781 

John Hanson, Maryland.5th Nov., 1781 

Elias Boudinot, New Jersey.4th “ 1782 

Thomas Mifflin, Pennsylvania. .. .3d “ 1783 

Richard Henry Lee, Yirginia.30th “ 1784 

Nathaniel Gorham, Massachusetts. 6th Jan., 1786 

Arthur St. Clair, Pennsylvania.2d Feb., 1787 

Cyrus Griffln, Yirginia.22d Jan., 1788 


The seat of government was established as follows : At 
Philadelphia, Pa., commencing September 5th, 1774, and May 
10th, 1775; at Baltimore, Md., December 20th, 1776; at Phil¬ 
adelphia, Pa., March 4th, 1777; at Lancaster, Pa., September 
27th, 1777; at York, Pa., September 30th, 1777; at Philadel¬ 
phia, Pa., July 2d, 1778; at Princeton, N. J., June 30th, 1783; 
at Annapolis, Md., November 26th, 1783; at Trenton, N. J., 
November 1st, 1784; and at New York City, N. Y., Jan¬ 
uary nth, 178 A 

On the 4th of March, 1789, the present Constitution, which 
had been adopted by a convention and ratified by the requisite 
number of States, went into operation. 

9 ( 129 ) 

















PART SECOND. 


THE GOYERHMEHT UHDEE THE CONSTITUTION. 


The plan of this part of our work requires us to give a com¬ 
plete view of the government of the United States, and in such 
detail as to be adequate to all the purposes of the citizen and 
the student who wish to understand its structure and modes of 
working. It will be found, we think, a clear, concise, and 
complete account of what it is indispensable to the American 
to know. 

There are three branches, each independent, having its sphere 
of general action entirely distinct, and clearly defined by the 
Constitution; yet working in harmony with the others, and 
locking in, so to speak, with them at special points, like the 
cogs of a system of wheels. The adjustment was more perfect 
than the authors of the Constitution themselves believed; 
probably because the spirit of the whole was in harmony with 
the people whose interests it Avas designed to guard. 

These three branches are the Legislative, the Executive, and 
the Judicial. All the institutions or general subdivisions of 
each are given in connection, with such explanations and data 
as they seem to require. We commence with the Executive, 
as being most immediately in contact with the people at large, 
having a Avider field, and a larger number of distinct organiza- 

( 130 ) 



THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 


131 


tions and agents. This branch exhausted, we present the Leg¬ 
islative, and linally the Judicial, closing with such matters as 
belong to the government as a whole. 

No human government is perfect, neither can exact and 
equal justice be done in every case by human laws. But the 
scope and design of our legislation and jurisprudence is to dis¬ 
pense justice to all, to place all on an equality before the laws, 
and to give the same rights to the rich and to the poor. No 
privileged class is known to our laws, and the lowest may 
aspire to the highest places of distinction and honor; many 
have done so, and have reached the most exalted positions. 
The fullest religious liberty is granted to all; every man may 
worship as he pleases, when and where he pleases, without 
molestation or fear. He is not, as in many other countries, 
taxed to support a chureh established by law. He may pay 
for religious purposes as much or as little as he pleases, and to 
any church he prefers, or he may pay nothing, and no one can 
call him to account or use any compulsion whatever in this 
matter. 

Every citizen has a vote for the choice of his rulers, and 
through his representatives a voice in making the laws by 
which he is governed. 

As to his business or calling, he may do that which best 
suits his interests or his tastes. He may go when or where he 
desires, he may stay in the country or leave it without restraint 
or hindrance; in short, he may do whatsoever seemeth good to 
him, provided he does not infringe on the rights of others. 

To this liberty, to these equal rights, privileges, and advan¬ 
tages do we attribute our rapid growth and power. The advan¬ 
tages and benefits of so wise, so liberal, and so beneficent a gov¬ 
ernment are not unknown to the people of other countries where 
they do not enjoy so much freedom; and this accounts for the 
wonderful immigration to the United States from nearly every 
country in Europe. This fiow has continued for more than 
three-quarters of a century, and is still unabated. It has 
added many millions to the natural increase of our population, 


132 


THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 


while very few of our own people ever leave their own country 
with the hope of bettering their condition, or of finding a gov¬ 
ernment under which they can enjoy more liberty or better 
protection. To gain a clearer conception of the intimate con¬ 
nection between a good government and the prosperity of the 
country, let us, for example, place Mexico in contrast with the 
United States. Mexico was settled long before the United 
States, and in climate and mineral wealth has the advantage of 
us; yet the ever unsettled condition of its government, together 
with intolerance of any but the Catholic religion, has prevented 
any increase of population or any advancement in anything 
which gives a nation respectability, greatness, or power. 

Let us draw another contrast by considering Ireland. An 
oppressive government has diminished the population, pre¬ 
vented any advancement, and impoverished the country. We 
might draw many such contrasts between the United States and 
other countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, 
which would convince any one who has the power to trace 
causes to effects, and effects to causes, that a just and liberal 
government is an essential condition upon which the prosper¬ 
ity of any country depends. 


THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 


CHAPTEE I. 

THE PEESIDEHT. 

1. Congress legislates, or enacts laws; the officers of the 
Supreme Court decide whether those laws are in conformity 
with the Constitution ; but the real ruler, the actual possessor 
•of power, is the President. In the language of the first sec¬ 
tion of the second article of the Constitution, “ The executive 
powers of the government shall be vested in a President of the 
United States of America.” The other branches of the gov¬ 
ernment decide what is to be done, and what is constitution¬ 
ally legal, and the President is the agent. He executes, or puts 
in actual operation, the measures determined on by them. 
Should he attempt to do anything not so prescribed, or to do 
anything in an improper manner, contrary to or different from 
the manner prescribed by the law, he may be impeached and 
removed, and all the subordinate officers and agents of the gov¬ 
ernment released from the obligation to obey him. 

2. The other branches are composed of many persons. He 
has no associate. The execution of the law requires vigor and 
decision, such as can be found only in a single mind and will. 
All history shows that there is constant danger of power being 
misused, whether one, two, or any number of men are the 
depositaries of it; but one man is much better than two or 
more, when vigor and promptness are required. All the secu¬ 
rities and checks that could be applied without embarrassing 
his necessary freedom of action have been provided. They can 
not, indeed, supply the want of judgment and uprightness, and 

( 133 ) 



134 


THE PRESIDENT. 


SO no absolute security against mismanagement can exist; but 
the danger may be in large part avoided by carefulness in the 
selection of the man who is to wield the whole power of a great 
nation. 

It is an office of great dignity, responsibility, and power, and 
requires a man of great ability and probity to properly fill it. 

3. The President is elected for four years, and may be re¬ 
elected if the people see fit. Several times in our history the 
President has been once reelected, and so held the office for 
eight years; but none have been twice reelected, though there 
is no law against it. The term commences and terminates on 
the fourth day of March. He is elected by the people, every 
voter having an equal influence in the choice ; but it is not 
done by voting for him directly, but by voting first for men 
called electors, who cast their votes according to the wisli of the 
people. This system we shall hereafter examine. 

4. A Vice-President is elected at the same time and in the 
same way, who, in case of the President’s death, removal, resig¬ 
nation, or inability to discharge the duties of his office, becomes 
acting President during the remainder of his term, or while the 
disability continues. The first Congress passed a law giving the 
President a salary of $25,000 per annum, with the use of a 
furnished house, and it remained the same until 1873, wdien it 
was raised to $50,000 per year. He is forbidden by the Con¬ 
stitution to receive any other public income during his term of 
office, nor is he at liberty to accept presents from any foreign 
power. 

Before entering on the duties of his office he is required to* 
take an oath ‘‘ to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution 
of the United States,” to the best of his ability. 

5. It is required that he shall be a native-born citizen of 
the United States, that he shall have been fourteen years a 
resident in the United States, and that he shall not be less than 
thirty-five years of age; which are designed to insure his attach¬ 
ment to American interests, his thorough acquaintance with 
American affairs, and the full maturity of his mind and char¬ 
acter. 


THE PRESIDENT. 


135 


6. It is liis duty to appoint such officers in every department 
of the public service as are not other wise provided for. He 
usually sends the nomination to the Senate for their approval 
or consent, and when that is given appoints them by commis¬ 
sion, signed with his name, to the office. In this manner he 
nominates the Justices of the Supreme Court, ambassadors, 
resident ministers, charge-d’affaires, consuls, and other repre¬ 
sentatives of the government abroad, all the Heads of Executive 
Departments, and the more important subordinate officers of 
each department. When the Senate is not in session he may 
appoint all these directly, to serve until it meets again. The 
clerks and minor officers are usually appointed by Heads of 
Departments. In all other cases the advice and consent of the 
Senate are required before the appointment and commission 
can be legal. 

7. It is his duty to make treaties with Foreign Powers, but 
these require confirmation by two-thirds of the Senate to be 
valid. He receives the Kepresentatives of Foreign Powers, 
and superintends all diplomatic intercourse with them and with 
our own Kepresentatives abroad. 

He is commander-in-chief of the army and navy, and must 
sign the commissions of all the officers in each. He may grant 
reprieves and pardons at his discretion, except in cases of im¬ 
peachment, and he is required to approve and sign the laws 
passed by Congress before they can take effect. If he does 
not approve a law he “ vetoes ” it by returning it to Congress, 
with his reasons for not signing it. If that body reconsiders 
it and reenacts it by a two-thirds vote of each house, it may 
become a law without his signature. 

8. He may call extra sessions of Congress for special rea¬ 
sons, and may adjourn it in case of disagreement between the 
two houses as to the time of adjournment. It is his duty to 
give information to Congress, at the commencement of each 
session, of the state of the country, and to recommend to it 
such legislative enactments as he may judge are required. This 
is called “ The President’s Message,” and is looked for with 


136 


THE PRESIDENT. 


miicli interest in this and in foreign countries, since his posi¬ 
tion makes him intimately acquainted with every subject 
relating to the public welfare. Wlien he considers that the 
occasion demands it, or when he is requested by Congress to 
give information on a special point, he communicates with 
them by similar documents, called messages. 

He may be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high 
crimes, by the House of Kepresentatives, and tried by the 
Senate, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding over 
that body during the trial, and in case of conviction is removed 
from office. 

9. It will be seen that he possesses great power, and that 
he is almost overwhelmed by responsibilities. The members 
of his cabinet are his constitutional advisers, and share more 
or less of this responsibility, although his will may override 
them all if he so chooses. 

There are many provisions for preventing an abuse of power 
in the Constitution and in the laws of Congress, but all history 
proves that nothing but watchfulness and wisdom on tlie part 
of the people can preserve to them their rights and liberties. 
Power, wherever lodged, is naturally aggressive. Fortunately 
the people themselves in this country are the source of power, 
and may legally restrain its exercise in their representatives 
and executive officers, when it threatens to become excessive. 

The following are the names of all the Presidents, from 
Washington, the first, down to the present incumbent: 

George Washington, Ya., 30th April, 1789, to 4th March, 1797 
—seven years ten months and four days. 

John Adams, Mass., 4th March, 1797, to 4th March, 1801— 
four years. 

Thomas Jefferson, Ya., 4th March, 1801, to 4th March, 1809 
—eight years. 

James Madison, Ya., 4th March, 1809, to 4th March, 1817 
—eight years. 

James Monroe, Ya., 4th March, 1817, to 4th March, 1825 
—eight years. 


THE PRESIDENTS. 


137 


John Quincy Adams, Mass., 4tli March, 1825, to 4th March, 
1829—four years. 

Andrew Jackson, Tenn., 4th March, 1829, to 4th March, 
1837—eight years. 

Martin Yan Euren, ]^. Y., 4th March, 1837, to 4th March, 
1841—four years. 

William H. Harrison, O., 4th March, 1841, to 4th April, 
1841—one month. 

John Tyler, Ya., 4th April, 1841, to 4th March, 1845—three 
years and eleven months. 

James K. Polk, Tenn, 4th March, 1845, to 4th March, 1849 
—four years. 

Zachary Taylor, La., 4th March, 1849, to 9th July, 1850 
—one year four months and five days. 

Millard Fillmore, H. Y., 9th July, 1850, to 4th March, 1853 
—two years seven months and twenty-six days. 

Franklin Pierce, N. H., 4th March, 1853, to 4th March, 
1857—four years. 

James Buchanan, Pa., 4th March, 1857, to 4th March, 1861 
—four years. 

Abraham Lincoln, Ill., 4th March, 1861, to 15th April, 
1865—four years one month and ten days. 

Andrew Johnson, Tenn., 15th April, 1865, to 4th March, 
1869—three years ten months and twenty days. 

Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., 4th March, 1869, to 4th March, 
1877—eight years. 

Of these William H. Harrison died 4th April, 1841, just one 
month after his inauguration. On the death of Harrison, Tyler, 
the Yice-President, became acting President. Taylor died 9th 
July, 1850, and Fillmore, Yice-President, became acting Presi¬ 
dent. Lincoln was assassinated on the 14th April, 1865, one 
month and ten days after he was inaugurated upon his second 
term, and Andrew Johnson, the Yice-President, became acting 
President — this being the third time that such an ev^ent has 
occurred since the government went into operation. 


CHAPTEE II. 

THE YICE-PEESIHENT. 


Tliis officer is elected hy the people at the same time, and in 
the same manner, as the President, and for the same term. 
He must be a native citizen of the United States, and thirty- 
five years of age. 

His high-sounding title would lead one who is but little 
accpiainted with our government to think that he stands next 
to the President himself in dignity and power; that on his 
shoulders rests a large amount of the duties and responsibili¬ 
ties of the administration. Such, however, is not the case. 
He is, in fact, nearer a cipher than any of the high officers of 
State. He is merely the presiding officer of the Senate, with 
not even the power to vote, except in case of a tie vote in that 
body, when he may give the casting vote. It is only in case 
of the death, resignation, impeachment, or disability of the 
President to discharge his duties, that the Vice-President 
becomes an officer of much power or dignity. 

The following is a list of all the Vice-Presidents: 

John Adams, Mass., April 30th, 1789, to March 4th, 1797, 
seven years, ten months and four days. 

Tliomas Jefferson, Va., March 4th, 1797, to March 4th, 
1801—four years. 

Aaron Burr, N. Y., March 4th, 1801, to March 4th, 1805— 
four years. 

George Clinton, H. Y., March 4th, 1805, to April 30th 
1812—seven years, one month, and sixteen days. 

Elbridge Gerry, Mass., March 4th, 1813, to November 23d, 
1814—one year, seven months, and nineteen days. 

Daniel D. Tompkins, N. Y., March 4th, 1817, to March 
4th, 1825—eight years. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., March 4th, 1825 to March 4th, 
1833—eight years. 

(138) 


THE VICE-PRESIDENTS. 


189 


Martin Van Buren, JS". Y., March -Ith, 1833, to March 4th, 
1837—four years. 

Kichard M. Johnson, Ky., March 4th, 1837, to March 4th, 
1841—four years. 

John Tyler, Ya., March 4th, 1841. to April 4th, 1841—one 
month. 

George M. Dallas, Pa., March 4th, 1845, to March 4th, 

1849— four years. 

Millard Fillmore, IV. Y., March 4th, 1849, to July 9th, 

1850— one year and four months. 

William R. King, Ala. 

John 0. Breckenridge, Ky., March 4th, 1857, to March 4th, 
1861—four years. 

Hannibal Hamlin, Me., March 4th, 1861, to March 4th, 1865 
—four years. 

Andrew Johnson, Tenn., March 4th, 1865, to April 15th, 
1865—one month and eleven days. 

Schuyler Colfax, Ind., March 4th, 1869, to March 4th, 1873— 
four years. 

Henry Wilson, Mass., March 4th, 1873, to March 4th, 1877 
—four years. 

Of these, Clinton died April 20th, 1812; from which time 
till March 4th, 1813, the Vice-Presidency was vacant. 

Gerry died Kovember 23d, 1814; from which time till March 
4th, 1817, the Vice-Presidency was vacant. 

Tyler became acting President upon the death of President 
Harrison; and until March 4th, 1845, the Vice-Presidency was 
vacant. 

Fillmore became acting President upon the death of Presi¬ 
dent Taylor, July 9th, 1850; and until March 4th, 1853, 
the Vice-Presidency was vacant. 

King was elected with President Pierce, in 1852, but died 
April 18th, 1853. He never took his seat, and the Vice-Presi¬ 
dency was vacant till March 4th, 1857. 

Johnson became acting President upon the death of President 
Lincoln, April 15th, 1865, and the Vice-Presidency again 
became vacant, and remained so until March 4th, 1869. 


CHAPTEK III. 

THE CABINET. 

1. The members of the President’s Cabinet are seven in 
number, viz.: Five Secretaries, at the head of their respective 
departments, of State, Treasury, War, Navy, and Interior; 
and the Postmaster General, and Attorney General. It is 
through these departments and their various bureaus, officers, 
agents, and clerks, that the President performs most of the 
duties of his position, viz.: that of executing^ or putting in 
force, the laws of Congress. He must, therefore, necessarily 
take them into his counsels, and arrange, by their assistance, 
the conduct of public affairs. Each one has the affairs of his 
department so thoroughly systematized that he can tell, with 
a little examination, the means at his disposal for carrying 
into effect any special measure; and precise records of the 
whole state of the public service may, at all times, be found 
in their offices. 

2. They are also selected for their several positions from 
among those regarded as the most eminent statesmen of the 
country, and each is supposed to be specially adapted, by his 
experience, acquirements, and capacity, for his special position, 
as well as in harmony with the general policy adopted by the 
President. They are, therefore, properly, and ex officio (by 
virtue of their office), his advisers. No one else can tell as 
well as they the condition of public affairs at any particular 
time, nor, in consequence, give as good advice on any special 
measure requiring such knowledge. Without their aid the 
President would have few means of judging what was best, or 

(140) 


THE CABINET. 


141 


possible, to be done at any particular crisis. They furnish the 
material for his decisions, and the instruments to execute them. 
They are heads of the Executive Departments, and, together 
with fhe President, who is the head of them all, bringing them 
all into harmony, and under the control of a single purpose 
and will, they are called the administration. They administer, 
or carry on, the government. 

3. In other countries these administrative heads are usually 
called Ministers, probably because they serve the ruler—servant 
being the original meaning of the term minister—and are com¬ 
monly chosen among the members of the legislative bodies— 
perhaps because that brings the government into closer 
sympathy with the legislators, and promotes harmony of 
action; but with us, no member of the Cabinet can have a 
seat in, or take any part in the proceedings of. Congress. Great 
care was taken to keep the different branches of the govern¬ 
ment distinct and independent of each other. Each branch, 
and each subdivision, is kept separate, and confined to its own 
range of duties, being united to the others only by its head, 
so that confusion and confiict might be impossible. 

4. Each sub-department reports at stated intervals to its 
head, and he to the President, and through him to Congress; 
and at the same time they present such suggestions and argu¬ 
ments for legislation in regard to their several departments as 
their knowledge, experience, and refiections may have convinced 
them to be desirable. They are supposed to give their whole 
time and thought to the care and improvement of their several 
branches of the public service, and to be in condition to know 
what further improvement should be provided for by law, 
better than any one else. 

5. Under Washington’s administration the departments and 
members of Cabinet were but three—-of State, of the Treasury, 
and of War. In 1798, during the administration of John 
Adams, the Department of the Navy was added, and its Secre¬ 
tary took his seat in the Cabinet. It then had only four mem¬ 
bers down to Jackson’s administration (1829 to 1837), when the 


142 


THE CABINET. 


Postmaster General was made a Cabinet officer, which increased 
the number to five. During Mr. Tyler’s administration (1841- 
1845) the Attorney General was made a member, and the 
number was then six. At the close of Mr. Polk’s term as 
President, in 1849, the Department of the Interior was created, 
and its chief given the seventh seat in the Cabinet; since 
which time there has been no increase. Congress may, at 
their discretion, as the country grows, and the public service 
with it, create other great or independent departments requir¬ 
ing its representative to have a seat in the Cabinet, that the 
state of the entire service may be readily known from the 
officer most familiar with each branch. 


CHAPTEE lY. 


DEPAKTMENT OF STATE„ 

1. As the Chief Executive of a government cannot, for 
want of time, attend to all the details of the business belong¬ 
ing to his office, he, according to the usage of all times, appoints 
various officers to attend to the different branches of public 
business. In most countries these officers, who are next in 
importance to the chief of the government, are called Minis¬ 
ters. In accordance with the practice of using plain and 
simple terms which was adopted in this country at the begin¬ 
ning, they are called Secretaries. They are subordinates of the 
President and supposed to act in his name and under his direc¬ 
tion. 

2. They are not specially named in the Constitution, but are 
several times referred to as Heads of Departments, and thus it 
was assumed that there would be such offices and officers, and 
their appointment was provided for. The first Congress under 
the Constitution organized these Executive Departments, the 
President nominating and the Senate confirming the appoint¬ 
ment of the more responsible officers. 

3. The first of these in rank is called the Department of 
State, and its head is named the Secretary of State. He is, by 
a law passed in 1853, aided by an Assistant Secretary, appointed 
in the same manner as himself. The numerous under officers 
recpiired by the extensive business falling to this department 
are appointed by the Secretary at its head. 

4. This Department has charge of such business as may 
arise between this government and the governments of other 

( 143 ) 


144 


DEPAETMENT OF STATE. 


countries. In most countries it is called the Department, or 
Ministry, of Foreign Affairs, but the term Department of State 
was preferred here. The great Seal of the United States is inhi& 
keeping, and it is his duty to affix it to all civil commissions 
given to officers of the United States who are appointed by the 
President and Senate, or by the President alone. It is his duty, 
under the supervision and control of the President, to conduct 
the correspondence with, and give instructions to, the Foreign 
Ministers, Consuls, and Agents of the government abroad, 
to take charge of the official business and intercourse of the 
government with the representatives of foreign governments 
sent to us, and to attend to such other business arising from 
our Foreign Delations as shall be committed to him by the 
President. 

5. It is his duty to keep in his office the original copies of 
all acts, resolutions, and orders of Congress. He must deliver 
to each Senator and Pepresentative in Congress, and to the 
Governor of each State, a printed copy of the same; and during 
the session of each Congress he must publish the acts and reso¬ 
lutions passed by it in one newspaper in the District of Colum¬ 
bia, and in not more than two in each State and Territory of 
the United States. He must also publish in like manner all 
amendments of the Constitution, and all public treaties made 
and ratified between the United States and any foreign State, 
Prince, or Power, or with any of the Indian tribes. 

6. And at the close of each session of Congress he must 
cause to be published 11,000 copies in book form of all the laws, 
etc., as before stated; and to distribute the same as directed by 
law to the President and Yice-President, and to every ex-Presi- 
dent; to all the members of the Senate and House of Pepre- 
sentatives; to all the heads of the various departments and 
bureaus; to all the Judges of the United States Courts, their 
Clerks and Marshals; to all our Foreign Ministers, Consuls, 
and Public Agents; in short, to all the important officers of 
the government at home and abroad; in order that all who are 
in government employ may know what the laws are, and what 


DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 


146 


changes have been made in acts formerly existing. The 
remaining copies are distributed to the States and Territories 
according to the number of Kepresentatives in Congress from 
each of them. 

7. It is also made the duty of the Secretary of State to give 
passports to our own citizens who wish to travel in foreign 
countries; to cause passports to be issued by such Diplomatic 
or Consular officers of the United States as the President shall 
direct; to give such information to our people through the 
newspapers as he may from time to time receive from our Dip¬ 
lomatic and Consular agents abroad, as he may deem import¬ 
ant to the nation, respecting our commercial interests in for¬ 
eign countries, and to prepare a form of passport for the ships 
and vessels of the United States. 

8. In the execution of extradition treaties between us and 
foreign governments, it is lawful for the Secretary of State, 
under his hand and seal of office, to issue an order for the ren¬ 
dition of any person who has been found guilty of crime in a 
foreign country, to any properly authorized person; that such 
criminal may be taken out of the United States to the country 
where the crime was committed. 

9. It will be seen that, in addition to the duties connected 
with our Foreign Kelations. he is a kind of General Secretary 
of the Legislative branch of the government, which probably 
led to his being called Secretary of State rather than Secretary 
of Foreign Affairs. The highest officer, in most other govern¬ 
ments, under the Executive, is commonly called Prime Minister; 
but he usually has care of the general interests of the govern¬ 
ment, internal as well as external, and the term would not be 
fitting to the Secretary of State. 

Our Foreign Delations recpiire to be managed with great 
wisdom and skill, since they often involve peace and war, and 
the general prosperity of the country. It therefore I'equires a 
man of great ability, and of extensive knowledge. He is a 
member of the Cabinet, and one of the advisers or counselors 
of the President. His appointment is for four years, or during 
10 


146 


DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 


a Presidential term; but he may be removed by the President 
at any time, if he deems it advisable. 

10. As a matter of historical reference, we append the 
names of all the statesmen who have filled this high office, 
commencing with the first, placing them in the order of the 
dates of their appointments, together with the States from 
which they came: 

SECKETAKIES OF STATE. 

Thomas Jefferson, Ya., Sept. 26th, 1789. 

Edmund Kandolph, Ya., Jan. 2d, 1794. 

Timothy Pickering, Mass., Dec. 10th, 1795. 

John Marshall, Ya., May 13th, 1800. 

James Madison, Ya., March 5th, 1801. 

Pobert Smith, Md., March 6th, 1809. 

James Monroe, Ya., April 2d, 1811. 

John Quincy Adams, Mass., March 4th, 1817. 

Henry Clay, Ky., March 7th, 1825. 

Martin Yan Buren, H. Y., March 6th, 1829. 

Edward Livingston, La., May 24th, 1831. 

Louis McLane, Del., May 29th, 1833. 

John Forsyth, Ga., June 27th, 1834. 

Daniel Webster, Mass., March 5th, 1841. 

H. S. Legare, S. C., May 9th, 1843. 

A. P. Upshur, Ya., June 24th, 1843. 

John Helson, Md,, Feb. 29th, 1844. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., March 6th, 1844. 

James Buchanan, Pa., March 5th, 1845. 

John M. Clayton, Del., March 7th, 1849. 

Daniel Webster, Mass., July 20th, 1850. 

Edward Everett, Mass., Dec. 9th, 1851. 

William L. Marcy, N. Y., March 5th, 1853. 

Lewis Cass, Mich., March 6th, 1857. 

Jeremiah S. Black, Pa., Dec. 14th, 1860. 

William H. Seward, H. Y., March 5th, 1861. 

Elihu B. Washburne, Ill., March 5th, 1869. 

Hamilton Fish, H. Y., March 11th, 1869. 

Hamilton Fish, H. Y., reappointed March 4th, 1873. 


CHAPTEE Y. 

CUE EEPEESENTATIYES m FOEEIGN LANDS. 

1. Nations have business with each other, as individuals 
have; and their governments employ agents to represent them 
and transact business in their name. By these means their 
political and commercial relations and intercourse are regulated, 
treaties are made, and any disputes that may arise between 
them settled. Officers of this character have been employed 
from very early times, and by all nations. They are considered 
to be clothed with the authority and dignity of the govern¬ 
ment they represent, and therefore the office has ever been held 
in great honor, and men most familiar with the affairs of their 
own nation, of most extensive knowledge, prudence, and wis¬ 
dom, are supposed to be selected for so eminent a service. 

2. By the law (or general consent) of nations ambassadors 
are exempt from arrest, imprisonment, or prosecution. Any 
interference with them in this w^ay might hinder the execution 
of the duties assigned them, and be a great damage to the 
public welfare, and an offense of that kind committed against 
them is considered as a dishonor to the government whose 
agents they are. On the other hand they require much judg¬ 
ment and tact that their conduct may not bring discredit on 
their g-overnment. Their inviolable character is carried so 
far as to exempt their servants from arrest, and their property 
from seizure for debt. The law of Congress protecting the 
Eepresentatives of foreign governments to this country is but 
a re-enactment, or acceptance, of what has been known as the 
Law of Nations for many centuries all over the civilized world. 

( 147 ) 


148 


REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS. 


A violation of this established usage among nations, without 
due atonement and satisfaction, would be recognized as a suf¬ 
ficient cause for war against the nation so offending. 

3. Our own foreign ministers of all grades are appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
They are not, however, the representatives of the President, 
but of the government of the United States. "\Ve said of all 
grades, for there are grades of these officials, different in dig¬ 
nity and power. They are distinguished also by different 
names which indicate their rank, viz.: Ambassadors, Envoys 
Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, Ministers Resi¬ 
dent, and Charge d’ Affaires. 

AMBASSADORS. 

4. This title in our country has no very specific meaning. 
It designates, however, a minister of the highest grade; but 
does not distinguish between one who goes to reside in the 
country whither he is sent, and one who is sent for some special 
purpose; such as that of negotiating a treaty of peace, or 
some other particular matter with which he is charged, and 
when that is accomplished returns home. In the latter case 
he is frequently styled a commissioner, because he was duly 
authorized, and commissioned by his government to act for it; 
but in both cases the officer is an ambassador, for that word 
means a person authorized and sent to transact business for 
his government. 

ENVOYS EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTERS 
PLENIPOTENTIARY. 

5. These titles designate ministers of the highest class; 
but generally refer to such as go to reside in the country where 
sent, and with full power to act for their government, in all 
matters and things of a diplomatic character. 

Where negotiations become necessary between the two 
nations, permanent ministers of this grade are only sent to 
great powers—governments of the higher class. 


REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN LANDS. 


149 


MIXISTEES EESIDENT. 

6. These are not considered so high in rank as those termed 
envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary. Yet they 
are clothed with nearly the same powers, but are sent to coun¬ 
tries of less importance, and receive less salaries. 

COMMISSIOKEES. 

7. There are a still lower grade of ministers (if we may 
call them so), or government agents, who reside abroad. They 
are sent to look after the interests of our government and its 
citizens in places of not much importance, and where there is 
but little to do. They also receive but small pay. 

CHAEGE D’AFFAIEES. 

8. Tliese officials rank as the lowest grade of ministers or 
diplomatic officers, and are not clothed with much authority 
or power, excepting when authorized to act in the room of a 
minister of higher rank, whose place is for the time being 
vacant. In this case consuls have been authorized to act in 
place of ministers; but not unless authorized to do so by the 
President of the United States. 

SECEETAEIES OF LEGATION. 

9. Secretaries of Legation may with propriety be noticed 
under the general head of ministers, although they are not 
ministers of any grade, but are appointed by the same powers 
that appoint ministers, and accompany them merely as their 
secretaries. In the absence of a charge d’affaires, they are 
sometimes authorized to act in his place. The position is not 
one of great dignity, nor is the compensation large. 


CHAPTEE YI. 


TKEATIES —EXTEADITION TEEATIES. 

1. A treaty is a written contract, entered into by two 
nations, on some question of interest or intercourse between 
them. It is precisely of the nature of a contract between two 
persons when they bind themselves to do, or not to do, certain 
things specified in the contract. That would be a treaty 
between individuals. Treaties between nations are only dif¬ 
ferent in the solemn and formal manner of arranging and 
confirming these agreements. 

2. Treaties have often been of great service to the world, 
both in ancient and modern times. By these negotiations, 
wars have been prevented, friendly relations maintained, and 
commercial intercourse kept up, advantageously to both parties. 
Treaties may be negotiated by any persons properly authorized 
by their governments to do so; and any government may 
autliorize such persons as they see fit, to perform these import¬ 
ant acts. In many cases the ordinary ministers who represent 
their governments to other governments, negotiate ordinary 
treaties. But in cases where something of an .extraordinary 
character is to be arranged, special ministers or commissioners 
are sent for this express purpose. This was the case at the 
treafy of Ghent (so called from the name of the place where 
the commissioners met to arrange it), in 1814; by wdiich a 
peace was brought about between England and the United 
States, after the last war between those powers. Special min¬ 
isters, or commissioners, as they were denominated, were 
appointed and sent for this very purpose. A treaty of peace 

( 150 ) 


TREATIES. 


151 


was agreed upon by the commissioners of the respective coun¬ 
tries, and hostilities ceased as soon as the news reached the 
United States. 

3. In some cases our government has authorized its com¬ 
manding generals to make a treaty with the hostile nation. 
It has also given the same power to the commanders of our 
national vessels: and also, in a few cases, to our consuls, in 
countries at a great distance from home, such as China, Japan, 
Siam, and Turkey. 

The persons authorized to negotiate a treaty, rarely act with¬ 
out instructions from their government, as to the times and 
conditions of the proposed treaty. Much, however, must be 
left to the sound judgment and discretion of the negotiators 
as to the details. 

4. It must be borne in mind that a treaty, although mutu¬ 
ally agreed upon by the agents of the nations concerned, is 
not binding upon either party until properly ratified according 
to the forms of the respective governments interested. The 
modes of ratification differ in different governments. In ours 
the Constitution confers this power upon the President, by 
and with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate. 

In absolute monarchies this power rests in the hands of the 
King or Emperor alone. As before stated, every government 
may confer the power to negotiate a treaty upon such agents 
as it pleases. It also has the power to prescribe such modes 
of ratifying or confirming it, as it pleases. 

5. But when once made and approved, it becomes binding 
not only upon the respective governments that made it, but 
upon all the citizens and subjects of that government. It has 
been held in this country by our greatest lawyers and states¬ 
men, that the provisions of a treaty bind Congress,, the 
President, and every citizen as much as any Constitutional 
provision or act of Congress. And for this reason our treaties 
are published in the papers in every State and Territory in the 
Union, in the same manner, and to the same extent, as the laws 
of Congress. 


152 


TREATIES. 


6. The violation of a treaty by either of the parties thereto, 
is reprehensible and criminal. It is derogatory to the charac¬ 
ter of any nation or individual that does it. It destroys the 
conhdence of one nation in the other, leads to unfriendly feel¬ 
ings and acts between the parties, and may bring on a war, if 
satisfaction is not given. Yet such things have been done, 
and evil consequences have always followed. “ If you make a 
bargain, stick to it,” is a common, trite, and wise saying. 

J ust here it seems proper to call attention to the fact that 
the Constitution prohibits any State from making any treaty 
with any foreign government. The reason for this provision is 
very obvious, for, if allowed, a State might confer privileges upon 
foreign powers which would be incompatible with the interests 
ot other States. Therefore the treaty-making power is kept 
wholly in the hands of the general government, for in it every 
State has its representatives, and a voice in every treaty which 
it makes. 

7. So numerous are the treaties which the United States 
has made with nearly every civilized nation upon earth, that 
it would require a very large volume to contain them. They 
are published with the laws, and generally in English and in 
the language of the nation with whom the treaty is made. 
They may be found in the United States Statutes at Large. 
It would require too much space in a work of this kind, to give 
even their titles. 

8. Wars have been stopped; boundary lines between 
nations have been established; commercial intercourse ar¬ 
ranged; the purchase and sale of lands, and a variety of other 
things have been the subjects, and formed the matter of 
treaties. Several of our most important ones relate to the 
purchase of territory. We acquired the States of Louisiana, 
Arkansas, and Missouri, by a treaty with France in 1803. It 
was called the Louisiana purchase; for it was nothing more 
than a purchase and sale of lands. We also acquired Florida 
of Spain, in 1819, in the same way, and California and Hew 
Mexico of Mexico, in 1847. 


TREATIES. 


153 


9. The immense quantities of land purchased of the Indi¬ 
ans, were obtained bj treaties with them. We are sorry to 
say that in some cases they have treacherously violated their 
treaty obligations; but at the same time it should be said by 
way of extenuating their offense, that our own government 
agents appointed for the purpose of taking care of the interests 
of the poor Indians, have, in connection with the white traders 
among them, shamefully cheated and wronged them, and pro¬ 
voked them not only to disregard their obligations, but to 
perpetrate murders, robberies, and thefts upon the whites who 
live near them. At different times during the years past, the 
Indians have been very hostile to us, and have waged war 
against the whites in their vicinity for the reasons above stated. 
“ Honesty is the best policy.” 

10. In the early part of the year 1867, a treaty was nego¬ 
tiated by William H. Seward, our Secretary of State, on the 
part of the United States, and Edward de Stoekl, the Russian 
Minister to the United States, on the part of Russia, for the 
cession of the Russian possessions in North America to the 
United States. 

This treaty may be regarded as one of the most important of 
all our treaties with foreign powers; for by it the United States 
acquire between 350,000 and 400,000 square miles of territory, 
in addition to our already immense possessions; and it places by 
far the greater part of the Northwestern coast of North Amer¬ 
ica under the control of the United States government. 

For the purpose of giving a specimen of a treaty, and show¬ 
ing some of the details of this negotiation, we here insert it in 
full, as agreed upon by the contracting parties. $7,000,000 in 
gold is the consideration which the United States paid Russia 
for this territory. This treaty has been ratified by the United 
States and Russian governments, and the money, ($7,000,000 
in gold) has been appropriated for the purpose, and paid to the 
Russian Minister. 

THE RUSSIAN TREATY. 

The following is the text of the Russian-American treaty: 


154 


TEEATIES. 


The United States of America, and his Majesty, the Em¬ 
peror of all the Eussias, being desirous of strengthening, if 
possible, the good understanding which exists between them, 
have for that purpose appointed as their plenipotentiaries, the 
President of the United States, \\^illiam IT. Seward, Secretary 
of. State, and his Majesty the Emperor of all the Eussias, Mr. 
Edward de Stoekl, his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary to the United States, and the said plenipoten¬ 
tiaries, having exchanged their full powers, which were found 
to be in due form, have agreed upon and signed the following 
articles: 

Article I. His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Eussias, 
agrees to cede to the United States, by this convention, imme¬ 
diately upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, all the 
territory and dominion now possessed by his said Majesty on 
the continent of America and in the adjacent islands, the same 
being contained within the geographical limits herein set forth, 
to wit: The eastern limit is the line of demarkation between 
the Eussian and British possessions in Horth America, as estab¬ 
lished by the convention between Eussia and Great Britain, 
of February 28 (16), 1825, and described in articles third and 
fourth of said convention in the following terms: Commenc¬ 
ing from the southernmost point of the island called Prince of 
Wales’ Island—which point lies in the parallel of 50 deg. 40 
min. north latitude, and between the 131st and 133d deg. of 
west longitude, meridian of Greenwich—the said line shall 
ascend to the north along the channel called Portland Channel, 
as far as the point of the continent where it strikes the 56th 
degree of north latitude. From this last mentioned point 
the line of demarcation shall follow the summit of the moun¬ 
tains situated parallel to the coast as far as the point of 
intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude of the same 
meridian, and finally from the said point of intersection the 
said meridian line of the 141st degree in its prolongation as 
far as the Frozen Ocean. With reference to the line of demarc¬ 
ation laid down in the preceding article, it is understood— 


TEEATIES. 


155 


first, that the island called Prince of Wales’ Island shall belong 
wholly to Russia, and now, by this cession, wholly to the 
United States; second, that whenever the summit of the moun¬ 
tains which extend in a direction parallel to the coast from the 
56th degree of north latitude to the point of intersection of 
the 141st degree west longitude shall prove to be at the dis¬ 
tance of more than ten marine leagues from the ocean, the 
limit between the British possessions and the line of coast 
which is to belong to Russia as above mentioned—that is to say, 
the limit of the possessions ceded by this convention—shall 
be formed by a line parallel to tlie winding of the coast, and 
which shall never exceed the distance of ten marine leagues 
therefrom. The western limit, within which the territories 
and dominion conveyed are contained, passes through a point 
in Behring’s Strait on the parallel of 65 deg. 30 min. north 
latitude, at its intersection by the meridian which passes mid¬ 
way between the island of Krusenstern, or Ignaalook, and the 
island of Ratmanog, or JSToonerbook, and proceeds due north 
without limitation into the same Frozen Ocean. The same 
western limit beginning at the same initial point, proceeds 
thence in a course nearly northwest through Behring’s Strait 
and Behring’s Sea, so as to pass midway between the north¬ 
west part of the island of St. Lawrence and the south-east 
point of Cape Choukottki to the meridian of 172 deg. west 
longitude. Thence, from the intersection of that meridian, in 
a south-westerly direction, so as to pass midway between the 
island of Attou and the copper island of the Koranddorski 
couplet or group in the Korth Pacific Ocean, to the meridian 
of 193 deg. west longitude, so as to include in the territory 
conveyed the whole of the Aleutian Islands east of that 
meridian. 

Art. II. In the cession of territory and dominion made 
by the preceding article, are included the right of property 
in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public 
buildings, barracks, and other edifices which are not private, 
individual property. It is, however, understood and agreed 


156 


TREATIES. 


that the churches which have been built in the ceded territory 
by the Russian government shall remain the property of such 
members of the Greek Oriental Church resident in the terri¬ 
tory as may choose to worship therein. Any government 
archives, papers, and documents relative to the territory and 
domain aforesaid, which may be now existing there, will be 
left in possession of the agent of the United States; but an 
authenticated copy of such of them as may be required will 
be at all times given by the United States to the Russian gov¬ 
ernment, or to such Russian officers or subjects as may apj^ly 
for them. 

Art. III. The inhabitants of the ceded territory, according 
to their choice, reserving their natural allegiance, may return 
to Russia within three years ; but if they should prefer to 
remain in the ceded territory, they, with the exception of unciv¬ 
ilized tribes, shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the 
rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of the United 
States, and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoy¬ 
ment of their liberty, property, and religion. The uncivilized 
tribes will be subject to such laws and regulations as the United 
States may from time to time adopt in regard to aboriginal 
tribes of that country. 

Art. IV. His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Russias, shall 
appoint, with convenient dispatch, an agent or agents, for the 
purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents, 
appointed on behalf of the United States, the territory, domi¬ 
nion, property, dependencies, and appurtenances which are 
ceded as above, and for doing any other act which may be neces¬ 
sary in regard thereto; but the cession, with the right of imme¬ 
diate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete and 
absolute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for 
such formal delivery. 

Art. Y. Immediately after the exchange ot the ratifications 
of this convention, any fortifications or military posts which 
may be in the ceded territory shall be delivered to the agent 
of the United States, and any Russian troops which may be in 


EXTEADITION TREATIES. 


157 


the territory shall be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonably 
and conveniently practicable. 

Art. YI. In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the 
United States agree to pay, at the Treasury in Washington, 

within-months after the exchange of the ratifications of 

this convention, to the diplomatic representative, or other agent 
of His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Kussias, duly authorized 

to receive the same,-million dollars in gold. The cession 

of territory and dominion herein made is hereby demanded to 
be free and unincumbered by any reservations, privileges, fran¬ 
chises, grants, or possessions, by any associated companies, 
whether corporate or incorporate, Kussian or any other, or by 
any parties except merely private individual property holders; 
and the cession hereby made conveys all the rights, franchises, 
and privileges now belonging to Kussia in the said territory or 
dominion and appurtenances thereto. 

Art. YII. When this convention shall have been duly rati¬ 
fied by the President of the United States, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, on the one part, and on the 
other by His Majesty, the Emperor of all the Kussias, the rati¬ 
fications shall be exchanged at Washington within-from 

the date hereof, or sooner, if possible. In faith whereot the 
respective plenipotentiaries have signed this convention, and 
thereto affixed the seals of their arms. 

EXTKADITIOK TKEATIES. 

1. Treaties have been made from time immemorial between 
rulers and nations for the purpose of promoting the interests 
of one or both parties in their commercial relations, or to secure 
allies in war ; but the kind of treaties mentioned at the head 
of this section are of modern origin ; and shows strongly 
the progress of nations toward a substantial unity of interests 
and of discipline. 

2. The security of society demands that when men commit 
a crime in one place they shall not be able to find a sate asylum 
to which they may fiy whenever the retributions ot the law. 




158 


EXTRADITION TREATIES. 


which watches over the welfare of the citizen, threaten to over¬ 
take them. The readiness with which criminals can pass from 
one country to another since steam has made travel so speedy 
and pursuit for any long distance so difficult, increases the evdl. 
When criminals fly to another country they cannot be pun¬ 
ished there, since their courts have no jurisdiction over a 
criminal from another nation, unless the act was committed in 
the country where they were established; nor are governments 
usually willing to deliver an individual on accusation only, 
unless there is an express stipulation, or treaty to this effect, 
between them. To overcome the difficulty a treaty was made 
in 1842 between this country and England, in which it was 
mutually agreed that each country, on the demand of the gov¬ 
ernment of the other, should give up criminals of certain kinds 
named in the treaty, when these after the crime had fled into 
their jurisdiction. It worked well, since it multiplied the 
chances of punishment, and tended to check crime. 

3. Subsequently, treaties of the same kind were made 
between the United States and the following countries : 


France. in 1843 

Prussia, and 17 other German States. “ 1852 

Switzerland. “ 1855 

Baden. “ 1857 

Sweden. “ 1860 

Venezuela, South America. “ 1861 


The time is probably not distant when treaties of this sort 
will be made between us and all the civilized nations of the 
world; for the intercourse between us and foreign nations is 
greater than ever before. 

The effect of these international arrangements is to render 
the perpetration of crime more dangerous than it would be if 
they did not exist. Flight from the country where the crime 
was committed was formerly one of the most effectual methods 
of escaping the penalty. But extradition treaties, Atlantic 
cables, and land telegraphs, have nearly spoiled this game. 







EXTRADITION TREATIES. 


159 


3. An extradition treaty, then, is a mutual agreement be¬ 

tween two nations to deliver up, each to the other, upon demand 
and proper proof of criminality, such persons as have com¬ 
mitted crimes in one country and then fled to the other, that 
they may be taken back, tried, and punished where the offense 
was committed. But these demands for escaped criminals can 
not be sustained if made for every crime whatever. They will 
only be complied with when the crime is one which is named 
in the treaty itself. These crimes, upon examination of a 
number of such treaties, we And to be: 1. Murder, or an 

assault with an intent to commit murder. 2. Piracy. 3. Ar¬ 
son. Robbery. 5. Forgery, or the uttering of forged 
papers, or the making or circulating counterfeit money, either 
paper or coin. 6. Rape. 7. Embezzlement, and 8. Burglary. 

4. It should be observed that a mere demand for an alleged 
offender is not sufficient. Proof enough to convince the judge 
before whom the case is brought must accompany the demand. 
He must be satisfied that the party demanded has committed 
the alleged offense; when this is done the judge reports his 
finding to the Secretary of State, whose duty then is, under 
his hand and seal of office, to issue the final writ of extradition; 
after which the criminal may be taken out of the United States 
(by force, if necessary), and back to the country^ where he com¬ 
mitted the crime, there to be dealt with according to the laws 
which he violated. 

5. In some of our extradition treaties it is expressly stipu¬ 
lated that neither party (government) shall be bound to surren¬ 
der its own citizens, or any person for merely a political offense. 
In others it is agreed that the provisions in the treaty shall not 
apply to cases where the crime was perpetrated before the 
treaty was made. This plea, we think, would be held to be a 
good defense in all cases, whether so stipulated in the treaty 
or not. 

6. Tlie treaties between difierent nations for the surrender 
of criminals are so analagous to one of the provisions contained 
in our Constitution, that to insert it here will give the reader a 


160 


BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES. 


clear comprehension of its meaning. It is found in the second 
section of article 4, and reads thus : 

“ A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another 
State, sha,ll, on demand of the executive authority of the State 
from which he tied, be delivered up, to be removed to the State 
having jurisdiction of the crime.” 


CHAPTEE YII. 

BUSINESS EEPEESENTATIYES. 

1. These officers, called Consuls, are employed by most civil¬ 
ized nations, all those at least who have an extensive intercourse 
with foreign countries, and they are recognized by the Law of 
Nations as being clothed, when acting in their official capacity, 
with the authority and inviolability of their respective govern¬ 
ments. Their place of official business is protected by the flag 
of their country, an insult to which renders reparation or war 
necessary to maintain its honor. Consuls are agents of their 
governments, but most of their duties have reference to the 
interests of private citizens who may be within their Consulate. 
There may be a great number of them in one country, and they 
are usually located in the seaports. 

2. The Constitution provides that the President and Senate 
shall appoint all our Consuls. The President signs their com¬ 
missions, which bear the great seal of the United States, and 
which prove to the government where they are sent that they 
are duly appointed and authorized to discharge the duties of 



BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES. 


161 


Consuls at the ports or places to which they have been ap¬ 
pointed. 

3. In order to show the nature of a Consul’s duties, such 
as the laws impose upon him, we will state the substance of 
several acts relating to this subject. 

1. Whenever a vessel belonging to a citizen of the United 
States arrives at the port where he is stationed, it is his duty 
to receive the ship’s papers, and to see if they are all correct. 

2. It is his duty to provide for sick, disabled, and destitute 
American seamen, and to send them home by some vessel going 
to the United States. 

3. He must hear the complaints of seamen, and settle dis¬ 
putes between the captain and men; and for good cause he may 
discharge the whole ship’s crew. 

4. It is made his duty to receive and take care of the per¬ 
sonal property of any citizen of the United States who has died 
wdthin his Consulate, and to send any balance which may be 
left after paying his debts and necessary expenses, to the treas¬ 
ury of the United States, to be held in trust for the legal claim¬ 
ants. He must also give notice to the Secretary of State of 
the death of such person. 

4. For the purpose of carrying out and executing certain 
treaties made between the United States and China, Japan, 
Siam, and Turkey, Consuls to those countries have been empow¬ 
ered with judicial functions. They were allowed to act as 
judges, and to try and punish citizens of the United States 
who had committed crimes there. These, however, were extra¬ 
ordinary powers in special cases, and by no means common to 
the consular office. 

5. In the absence of a minister or diplomatic agent of the 
United States, the President may authorize a Consul to perform 
the duties of such foreign minister; but these powers are rarely 
conferred on them. Their ordinary duties relate to commercial 
affairs, and to such as are before stated. 

6. A Vice-Consul, or deputy Consul, is one appointed to 
act temporarily in case of sickness or absence of the Consul. 

11 


162 


PASSPOKTS. 


His powers, while acting, are the same as those of the Consul 
in whose place he acts. Every Consul is required to give bonds 
for the faithful performance of his duties. 

7. Our commerce has been extended to almost every part 
of the globe, and for this reason we need a great number of 
these officials. Their services are required at all great seaports, 
and at many smaller ones. The compensation varies according 
to the amount of business to be transacted by them, from 
$7,500 down to $500. Some do not receive any salary, but 
are allowed the fees they are authorized to charge for their 
services. 

8. It is his duty to give his government and countrymen 
all such information as he possesses in relation to the laws and 
practices of the country to which he is sent, which it would 
be important for them to know; and especially is it his duty 
to look after the interests and welfare of his countrymen when 
they are within his Consulate, and to see that no wrong or 
injustice is done to them by the people or government where 
he resides. 


CHAPTER YIII. 

PASSPORTS. 

1. These are written documents, in due official form, signed 
and sealed by the proper authority, to convey official informa¬ 
tion, or serve as a means of protection, and to readily distin¬ 
guish the American Citizen abroad, or to give a permission or 
authority to go where those not having passports are forbidden 
to go. The passport conveys authentic information to whom it 



PASSPORTS. 


163 


may concern, to what nation the bearer of the passport belongs; 
and second, to protect him, and secure to him all the rights 
and privileges which the government has a right to claim for 
its citizens by virtue of any treaty of amity and friendship 
existing between it and the country whither its citizens may go. 

The passport informs the world that the bearer of it is a citi¬ 
zen of the United States, and that he travels under its protec¬ 
tion, and that it would demand and exact satisfaction of any 
one who wronged or injured him who bears such credentials. 

2. In the United States, the Secretary of State is the officer 
authorized by law to issue passports. He has the authority 
also to cause them to be issued in foreign countries by our for¬ 
eign ministers and consuls, under such restrictions and rules 
as may be designated by the President. This is allowed as a 
matter of convenience to our citizens who happen to be in for¬ 
eign countries without them; who need their protection, and 
who would be subjected to much delay and expense by going 
or sending home to procure them. 

Passports are not granted to any other than citizens of the 
United States, whether issued by the Secretary or by any dip¬ 
lomatic or consular agent of our government. 

3. Besides these passports, which are given only to our own 
citizens when in foreign countries, or who intend to go there, 
there is another kind issued to foreigners who wish to go 
among the Indians in the Indian territory, or on the Indian 
reservations. Indeed, our own citizens are not allowed to go 
among them without permission. But foreigners cannot go 
without a passport from the Secretary of War, which specifies 
the route over which the bearer must pass, and the length of 
time he is allowed to remain among them. This is done to 
prevent unfriendly foreigners from fomenting mischief, or from 
exciting unkind feelings towards our government or people. 
Such unfriendly feelings have been created by foreigners, and 
we have often experienced the bitter fruits of it, especially in 
times of war. 

4. Still another kind of passports is used in this country, 


164 


DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. 


and should be noticed under this head. They are passports for 
American ships or vessels. When they are about to sail for a 
foreign port, the laws of the United States require each to pro¬ 
cure one, under a penalty or fine of two hundred dollars upon 
the master if he departs from the United States for a foreign 
country (other than some port in America), without it. The 
passport is prepared by the Secretary of State and is approved 
by the President. This is given to the master by the collector 
of the port from which the vessel sails, and is one of the ship’s 
papers, by which her nationality is known, and her protection 
shown to be that of the United States. 


CHAPTEE IX. 

DEPAETMEXT OF THE TEEASUEY. 

1. If the Executive Department that has charge of the 
public moneys is not highest in nominal rank, it certainly does 
not hold a less important and interesting place in the estima¬ 
tion of the country and of the world than the Department of 
State. Every part of the government is dependent on this for 
its efficiency. It is the heart of the country. The in-and-out- 
flowing of the tide of money from the central point marks the 
pulses of the nation’s prosperity. Especially has this been the 
case since the Civil War, and the immense developments and 
changes that followed it. The banking system, making the 
Treasury responsible for the issue of all the hundreds of mil¬ 
lions of bank notes used in the business of the country, adds 
immensely to the importance of the United States Treasury. 

2. The management of this Department is committed to 



DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. 


165 


the Secretary of the Treasury. He is selected for that office 
by the President, and when his nomination is approved by tlie 
Senate his appointment takes place. He holds office during a 
presidential term, unless sooner removed. He is a member of 
the Cabinet and one of the President’s advisers. 

3. The financial policy adopted by the country depends very 
much on his views on that difficult question, and the interests 
and wealth of millions on the ability and integrity he pos¬ 
sesses. He is therefore chosen on account of his real or sup¬ 
posed qualifications on questions of finance. 

He is aided in his duties by an Assistant Secretary, a Comp¬ 
troller and Second Comptroller, five Auditors, a Treasurer and 
his assistant, a Pegister and his assistant, a Commissioner of 
Customs, a Comptroller of the Currency and his deputy, and 
a Solicitor of the Treasury. All these have their offices in 
connection with the Treasury Department at Washington. 
In several of the large cities are sub-treasuries, each presided 
over by an assistant Treasurer, where public funds are received 
and disbursed. The Treasurers of the Mints are also, many 
of them. Assistant Treasurers of this Department. All these 
are appointed by the President and Senate in the same manner 
as the Chief Secretary. 

4. The sums of money actually handled, and the accounts 
of all moneys received and disbursed without passing into the 
vaults of the Treasury, amount to many hundreds of millions 
annually, and require the constant service of some hundreds 
of clerks. These all need to have clean hands and pure hearts, 
which is, unfortunately, more rare among men of all classes 
than could be wished. Yet the whole is reduced to so accurate 
a system that a loss at any point immediately produces a dis¬ 
turbance in the whole machinery, and a short examination suf¬ 
fices to reveal the point of difficulty and the person responsible 
for it. Accordingly, losses and defalcations are seldom expe¬ 
rienced in or near the central point of the Department. If 
they occur, which is sometimes the case, it is usually some 
officer at a distance who is found to be at fault, whose sphere 


166 


DEPARTIklENT OF THE TREASURY. 


of operations lies far from the centre and only occasionally 
passes under scrutiny. Each has his separate sphere of duties 
which no one else interferes with, and assumes his owm respon¬ 
sibility, and probably no other institution in the world loses 
less in proportion to the amount of money involved and the 
number of persons handling it. 

5. Every account must be carefully examined and approved 
by the proper officer before it can be presented for settlement 
and the money paid out, and whatever moneys may flow in, 
none can flow out but according to some law of Congress defl- 
nitely appropriating it. 

All officers having the handling of public funds are required 
to give security for the faithful discharge of their duties. This 
must, by the requirement of the law, be done before they can 
enter their respective places. 

SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY. 

Alexander Hamilton, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1789. 

Oliver Wolcott, Ct., Feb: 4, 1795. 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., Dec. 31, 1800. 

Albert Gallatin, Pa., May 14, 1801. 

George W. Campbell, Tenn., Feb. 9,1814. 

Alexander J. Dallas, Pa., Oct. 6, 1814. 

William H. Crawdbrd, Ga., Oct. 22, 1816. 

Kichard Push, Pa., Mar. 7, 1825. 

Samuel D. Ingham, Pa., Mar. 6, 1829. 

Louis McLane, Del., Aug. 8, 1831. 

William J. Duane, Pa., May 29, 1833. 

Koger B. Taney, Md., Sept. 23, 1833. 

Levi Woodbury, N. H., June 27, 1834. 

Thomas Ewing, O., Mar. 5, 1841. 

Walter Forward, Pa., Sept. 13, 1841. 

John C. Spencer, H. Y., Mar. 3, 1843. 

George M. Bibb, Ky., June 15, 1844. 

Kobert J. Walker, Miss., Mar. 5, 1845. 

W. M. Meredith, Pa., Mar. 7, 1849. 


FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE U. S. 


167 


Thomas Corwin, O., June :20, 1850. 
James Guthrie, Ky., Mar. 5, 1853. 
Howell Cobb, Ga., Mar. 6, 1857. 

Philip F. Tliomas, Md., Dec. 10, 1860. 
John A. Dix, N. Y., 1861. 

Salmon P. Chase, O., Mar. 5, 1861. 
William P. Fessenden, Me., July, 1864. 
Hugh McCulloch, Ind., 1864. 

George S. Boutwell, March 11,1869. 

W. A. Richardson, March 17, 1873. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE U. S. 

1. Revenue, or the income of the government, is derived 
from various sources. A tax—or duty, as it is often called— 
laid on goods imported into the country, is one of the most 
important. It is easy for a government to manage without 
producing a very sensible effect on the people, and has been a 
favorite mode of raising a revenue with nearly all governments 
since commerce became general. 

2. The sale of public lands has, in this country, been a 
source of large revenue; though the desire to encourage emi¬ 
gration and develop the unsettled parts has led the government 
to sell them for a nominal sum. Still, these lands were so 
attractive and extensive as to sell rapidly and produce a con¬ 
siderable income. The Post Office Department has been a 
source of income, in great part supporting itself. Duties paid 
on the tonnage of vessels, the forfeiture of goods smuggled, or 



168 


FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE U. S. 


introduced into the country without paying the lawful tax or 
duty, and the forfeiture of vessels used in that unlawful trade, 
prizes taken in war, and fees required to be paid to various 
officials when their services are employed, are minor sources 
of revenue. 

3. When all these are not sufficient, as in time of war, or 
when an immense war debt is to be paid, direct taxes are laid 
on the property and business of the country. This is called 

THE USTTEKHAL KEYEHUE, 

and is borne with more or less patience, according as the people 
regard the end to be gained important. The revenues of the 
States are mostly derived from this source. They are not 
allowed to raise their revenue from foreign commerce, since 
that would be a tax on goods liable to be paid by the people of 
another State. 

4. Tlie necessity of laying large direct taxes does not, in 
this country, often arise in case of the General Government; 
but during and after the gigantic Civil War between the JSTorth 
and South, when enormous expenses had to be met, and the 
credit of the government sustained, the direct taxes became 
very large indeed. In 1861 Congress passed the “ Internal 
Eevenue Law,” by which twenty millions of dollars were to 
be annually raised from direct taxes on houses and lands in 
each of the States and Territories. 

By subsequent acts not only houses and lands were taxed, 
but almost every sort of property and business. Licenses were 
required for persons to carry on their profession, trade, or busi¬ 
ness; incomes were taxed; deeds, mortgages, notes, bonds, bank 
checks, and papers of almost every kind were invalid unless 
they had a revenue stamp upon them. Manufacturers had to 
pay a certain per-centage on whatever they made. Scarcely 
any calling, trade, profession, or business escaped it, directly 
or indirectly. 

5. To carry out these provisions, the whole country was 


FINANCIAL SYSTEM OF THE U. S. 


169 


divided into Eevenue Districts, corresponding, so far as con¬ 
venient, with Congressional Districts. An officer of the Treas¬ 
ury Department, called the Commissioner of Internal Eevenue, 
was appointed, charged with the duty of preparing instructions, 
forms, blanks, stamps, and licenses, to be used in the collection 
by the multitude of minor officers employed, and of oversee¬ 
ing the whole work. Each district had its chief officer, and 
his deputies, assessors, and collectors, by whom the money at 
length reached the Treasury at Washington. It created an 
army of officers to be paid. It was laid aside as soon as possi¬ 
ble, and taxation made less onerous and expensive. The remark¬ 
able prosperity of the country at that particular period made 
it easier to bear. Direct taxes laid by the General Government 
are more economically collected by the State or local officials, 
in all ordinary cases. This was a very extraordinary and press¬ 
ing one, and the people were so eager to put their debt in the 
way of extinction that it was endured with much patience for 
several years, when most of this cumbrous and costly machinery 
was laid aside. 

6. The vast war debt, the large number of government 
officers employed in attending to the interests of so large and 
prosperous a country, the support of the army and navy, 
the great number of foreign representatives and agents of the 
government, and the public works necessary for the develop¬ 
ment or protection of the country, make a large revenue indis¬ 
pensable. 

7. It is best when the people are free and intelligent that 
they be governed as little as possible—or rather that they gov¬ 
ern themselves as much as possible, and that as few officials as 
may be live on the fruits of other people’s labor. There must 
necessarily be an army of them, at the least; but such arrange¬ 
ments should be made that public expenses may be reduced to 
the lowest point, and republican simplicity everywhere reign. 

The principle and habit of public economy should be earn¬ 
estly insisted on, since the handling of immense sums of pub¬ 
lic money is much more demoralizing than the acquisition of 


170 


DUTIES AND TAEIFFS. 


private wealth in legitimate wajs. It is a strong temptation 
to men of weak moral character; and private property is more 
likely to be carefully used and economically expended than 
public funds. The smaller the revenue, consistent with the 
general development of the country, the better. 


CHAPTEK XI. 

DUTIES AND TAEIFFS. 

1. Duty is a term used to designate a sum paid by foreign 
merchandise coming to our country for sale, for the privilege 
of entering and being offered to purchasers. Tariff is a rate, or 
scale, of duties. 

2. Ever since intercourse has become frequent between dif¬ 
ferent nations commerce has been occupied in effecting inter¬ 
changes of the products and industries of each country with 
others. Each country has peculiarities that specially fit it for 
the production or manufacture of some article, or list of arti¬ 
cles, which others would be unable to produce, or would pro¬ 
duce at greater inconvenience and expense, and which is of 
high value to all, or many of the others. The social princi¬ 
ple has proved to be of extreme value to the improvement of 
men, and to their happiness; and we might say that, in this 
unequal distribution of capacities in the lands, and the races 
who inhabit them, the exercise of the social principle, on a 
broad scale, was made, by nature, indispensable. 

3. Each nation, then, devotes itself to its special features of 
production, and exchanges its surplus with others for what it 
wants of their different surplus, to mutual profit. Just as A 
is a farmer, and raises grain, while B is a mechanic. Each has 
a natural adaptation to the business he pursues, and each needs 
what the other produces. So they exchange, and each has the 
full benefit of the success and different genius and resources of 
the other. Commerce is the same in principle, and interchange 
becomes constantly more extensive. 



DUTIES Amy TAKIFFS. 


171 


4. Government naturally regulates commerce because it is 
one of the general interests of the country. It finds an indefi¬ 
nite amount of foreign merchandise waiting to enter to be put 
on sale. It was long ago discovered that here was a conve¬ 
nient mode of producing a government income without dis¬ 
turbing the people with a constant demand for money to pay 
its expenses. Whatever foreign goods had to pay for permis¬ 
sion to enter, was quietly added to the price afterward, and so 
the people paid their taxes to the government in an indirect 
way in the form of a Duty. They pay the price asked, if it 
be within their means, without kno.wledge, or thought, of what 
part goes to the government, unless they study the subject care- 
fully. 

It has always been the case, then, that a government could 
get all the money it wanted, from this source, in ordinary 
times’, with very little trouble. That mode is naturally a favor¬ 
ite with them. Whether it is the best way for the people is 
another question, which has been, at different times, very 
warmly debated in our government. It is not onr place here 
to take up the argument, but it is worthy of a careful study by 
the people. 

5, A Tariff of duties is established to carry on the govern¬ 
ment. There is another object that has had many advocates, 
and has quite commonly exerted an influence to raise the tariff 
on some things. It is stated in the preamble, or introduction, 
to the first act passed by the first Congress, on this subject, 
July 4th, 1789, Whereas, it is necessary for the support of the 
government, for the discharge of the debts of the United 
States, and the encouragement and 'protection of manufac- 
tures^ that duties be laid on goods, wares, and merchandise 
imported.” It was considered important to protect and encour¬ 
age our manufactures, by putting so high a price on the same 
kind of foreign goods that ours would have the advantage and 
sell at a less price or greater profit. 

This might have been a wise measure, in the early days of the 
country, when there were few manufactures. Whether it has 
been so since, or is so now, is not so clear. 


172 


DUTIES AND TARIFFS. 


6. Every man should make up his mind what is right and 
best and act as he sees to be most for the general good. It has 
two disadvantages. It embarrasses the interchange that we 
have described as so profitable, and under a high tariff some¬ 
times practically forbids it. It is unsocial, and we declare by 
it, that we will, so far as possible, live within ourselves, and 
have as little to do with our neighbors as we can. Besides, it 
is our own people who have to pay the duty, mainly, if they 
use the foreign goods; or the higher price on domestic goods 
if they buy them; so that one class of the people, that is, the 
the mass of them, pay another small class large sums to manu¬ 
facture what might be bought from foreigners with less money. 
It is a fine thing for the manufacturers, but not quite so fine 
for those who buy them, unless they feel like making their 
countrymen a present for every piece of goods he will manu¬ 
facture for them, beside the proper cost as made by others. 

It has the advantage of encouraging industries of different 
kinds; and has been believed to contribute greatly to the gen¬ 
eral prosperity in that way. Some think it best to let all those 
things arrange themselves, and leave each nation to bring us 
what they can produce cheapest and sell them more of what we 
can produce cheapest. They believe this is the secret of pros¬ 
perity, besides being more social. It is a question to be care¬ 
fully examined. It seems probable, that, in the end, all 
nations will agree on this policy, and raise their revenue in 
some other way. It is perhaps too soon to expect that, as yet. 

We have never been without a tariff*, though there has been 
much discussion in Congress, and between parties, whether it 
should be protective or not. So it has often changed from low 
to high and back again. The necessities of our war, and the 
heavy debt, made it important, in the highest degree, to raise 
all the revenue we could, and the subject has not been much 
discussed for many years. 

7. The Duties are mostly collected in the cities, and, as 
foreign goods come mainly by water, in the seaports of the 
country. Duties are often called Customs, and the places where 


DUTIES AND TARIFFS. 


173 


they are collected Custom Houses; and the officers Custom 
House Officers. These places are located in ports along our sea 
coast, and there are some thousands of custom house officers of 
all grades. The buildings erected by the government have cost 
many millions of dollars. The larger part of the duties are 
collected in the great seaport cities, as Boston, New York, Balti¬ 
more, New Orleans, and San Francisco. 

Places, designated for foreign vessels to present their goods 
for examination and collection of the duty, are called Ports of 
Entry. If they are delivered at some other place, where there 
is no custom house they are called Ports of Delivery. 

8. Congress alone has power to lay these duties. There are 
two modes of imposing them; sometimes one and sometimes 
the other being adopted, according to the views of the Con¬ 
gress legislating. They are called specific and ad valorem 
duties. Ad valorem means, according to the cost, and is 
counted on tlie cost in the country the article comes from. 
Specific duties are so much on the article, without regard to the 
cost. On many things imported there is no duty, and they are 
called “free goods.” 

Changes are continually made in the tariff to conform to the 
requirements of the Treasury, the desires of the people, and 
the changing views of the legislators. 

DKAWBACKS. 

9. When the duties on foreign goods have been paid, and 
they are afterwards exported, the duties which have been paid 
are refunded to the owner. The money thus paid back is 
called a drawback. All imported goods are entitled to draw¬ 
back whenever they are taken out of the United States. 

BOUNTIES ON EXPOKTED GOODS, 
take money out of, instead of putting it in the treasury, yet the 
government in a few cases has allowed bounties upon exported 
articles. Fish taken by American vessels, refined sugar and 
distilled spirits made from imported sugar and molasses, are 
examples. This was done to encourage domestic industry and 
enterprise. 


174 


DUTIES AND TAKIFFS, 


CUSTOMS EEYEKUE FOE FIFTY-ONE YEAES. 

A Comparative Statement showing the Customs Revenue, Amount of 
Dutiable and Free Goods Imported, and the Average Rate of Duty or 


Imports, every year from 1821 to 1871, inclusive. 



Receipts from 


IMPORTS. 


0 

■iJ ^ 

s 

Year. 

Customs. 

Free. 

Dutiable. 

Total. 

* 

. be 

Ph ® 

* 

1821-.-.:. 

$18,475,703 57 

$10,082,.313 

$52.50:3,411 

$62..585,724 

35-0 

29.5 

1822. 

24,000,000 4:3 

7,298,708 

75,942,833 

83,241,.541 
77,579,267 

:31-7 

28-9 

182:3. 

22,402,024 29 

9,048,288 

68,.5:30,979 

:32-7 

28-8 

1824. 

25,480,817 80 

12,563,773 

67,985,234 

80,549,007 

:37-5 

:3l-6 

1825. 

31,053,871 50 

10,947,510 

85,:392,565 

96,:340,()75 

:37-l 

:32-8 

1820. 

20,083,801 97 

12,567,769 

72,406,708 

84,974,477 

34-0 

.30-7 

1827. 

27,948,950 .57 

11,855,104 

67,628.904 

79,484,068 

41-3 

35-1 

1828.. 

29,951,2.51 90 

12,.379,176 

76,1:30,648 

88,509,824 

39-3 

33-8 

1829. 

27,088,701 11 

11,805,501 

62,687,026 

74 , 492 , 52 : 

44-3 

37-1 

1830. 

28,389,505 05 

12,746,245 

13,456,625 

58,1:30,675 

70,870,920 

48.8 

40-0 

18:31. 

30,.590,118 19 

89,7:34,499 

10.3,191,124 

40-8 

35-4 

18:32. 

29,:341,175 05 

14,249,453 

86,779,813 

101,029.200 

3 : 3-8 

29-0 

18 : 3:3 . 

24,177,578 52 

32,447,950 

75,670,:361 

108,118,:311 

31-9 

00 4 

18:34. 

18,960,705 96 

()8,393,180 

. 58,128,1.52 

126,521,:3:32 

32-0 

15-0 

18:35. 

25,890.726) 06 

77,940,493 

71,955,249 

149,895,742 

;36-0 

17-2 

lase . 

:30,818,:327 67 

92,056,481 

97,92:3,.554 

189,980,0:35 

31-6 

16-2 

1837. 

18 , 1 : 34 . 1:31 01 

69,2.50,031 

71 , 7 : 39,186 

140,989,217 

25-3 

12-4 

1838. 

19,702,825 45 

60,800,005 

52,8.57,:399 

113,717,404 

37-8 

17-3 

18:39. 

25,554,533 96 

76,401,792 

85,690,:340 

162,092,1:32 

29-9 

15-8 

1840. 

15,104,790 63 

57,190.204 

49,945,315 

107,141,519 

30-4 

14-1 

1841. 

19,919,492 17 

66,019,731 

61,926,440 

127,946,177 

32.2 

15.6 

1842. 

10,662,746 84 

:30,627,486 

69,5:34,601 

100,162,087 

23.1 

16-6 

1843.. 

10,208,000 43 

:35,574,.584 

29,179,215 

04,753,799 

35.7 

15.7 

1S44. 

29 , 2 : 30,357 38 

24,766,881 

83,668,154 

108 , 4 : 35 . 0:35 

.35-1 

26-9 

1845.. 

30,9.52,416 21 

22,147,840 

95,106,724 

117,254,564 

32.5 

26-4 

1840. 

26,712,668 00 

24,767,7:39 

90,924,058 

121,691,797 

26-5 

21-9 

1847. 

23,747,865 00 

41,772,6:36 

104,773 002 

140,545,638 

22.5 

16-2 

1848. 

31,757,071 00 

22,716.603 

i:32,282,:325 

154,998,928 

24.0 

20-4 

1849. 

28,:346,7:39 00 

22,377,665 

125,479,774 

147,857,439 

2 : 3.0 

19-2 

1850. 

:39,668,686 00 

22,710,:382 

1.55,427,9:30 

178,i:38,;318 

25-2 

22.3 

18.51--. 

49,017„508 00 

25,106,.587 

191,118,:345 

216,224,932 

20-0 

22-6 

1852..... 

47,:3:39,,326 00 

29,692,9:34 

183.252,508 

212,945,442 

20.0 

22.2 

185 : 3 ... 

58,9:31,865 00 

:3i,:38:3,.5:34 

2 : 30 , 595 , 11:3 

267.978.647 

25-0 

22.0 

18.54. 

64,224,190 00 

:3:3,285.821 

271,270.,50() 

:3(-l4,562,:381 

23.5 

21.1 

18.55. 

53,025,794 00 

40,09(),:3:36 

221,:378,184 

261,468,.520 

23.0 

20.3 

1850. 

64,022.86:3 00 

56,955,700 

257,084,2:30 

314,6:39,942 

25-0 

20-3 

1857. 

63,875,905 00 

66,729,:306 

294,160,8:35 

:360,890,141 

21-5 

17.7 

1858. 

41,789,621 (X) 

80,319,275 

202,293,875 

282,01:3.150 

20.0 

14.8 

18.59.. 

49,565,824 00 

79,721,116 

259,047,014 

3:38,708,130 

19-0 

14.6 

1800. 

5:3,187..511 00 

90,841,749 

279,872,:327 

.362,166 254 

19.0 

14.7 

1801. 

:39,582,126 00 

tll7,469,962 
169,1:36,705 

218,180,191 

:3:35,650,15:3 

18.14 

11.79 

1802. 

49.0.56,:398 00 

1:36,6.35,024 

205,771,729 

:35-90 

23-84 

1803. 

69,059,042 00 

44,826,029 

208,093,891 

252,919,920 

33.19 

27.30 

1804. 

102,310,1.53 00 

t.54,241,944 

275,:320,951 

.329,502,895 

37-16 

31.04 

1805. 

84,928,200 00 

54,:329,588 

194,226,064 

248,555,052 

43.75 

:34.17 

1800...-. 

179,040,6:30 00 

69,728,018 

375,783,540 

445.512,158 

47-65 

40.19 

1807. 

176,417,811 (XI 

45,203,970 

372,027,601 

417,831,571 

47-:34 

42.22 

1808.. 

164,4()4,.596 00 

29,:379,149 

:342,245,659 

371,024,808 

48.05 

44.25 

1809. 

180,048,427 00 

41,454,.5(58 

:395,859,087 

437,314,255 

45.48 

41.17 

1870 . 

1871 . 

192,878,265 00 

40,560.0.50 

.57,851,808 

415,817,5:37 

48:3,()41,9()6 

462,:377,587 

541,49:3.774 

46.37 

41.71 


* The percentages in these columns are approximately, not absolutely correct, owing 
to the fact that the rates are computed upon the value of merchandise, etc., imported, 
instead of the value of goods entering into consumption in the respective j^ears. 

t These amounts do not include imports into the Southern ports during the war, from 
which no revenue was derived, namelv, in 1801, ;5l7,089,234; in 1802, $90,789; and in 1804, 
$ 2 , 220 . 









































































DUTIES AND TARIFFS. 


175 


TONNAGE. 

11. Tonnage designates the capacity of a vessel for carry ing 
goods, which depends on the tons of weight it can receive, and 
is computed by assigning so much space, in height, length, and 
breadth, to each ton. A revenue, additional to that raised 
from the goods brought in vessels, is produced by a tax on the 
tonnage, or carrying capacity of vessels. 

It is laid, not only on foreign vessels, trading with our sea¬ 
ports, but on our own vessels; a distinction being made so 
as to produce protection in favor of our own commerce and 
ship-builders. This also is paid by those who buy the goods 
brought in these vessels; since whatever duty is laid on the 
carrying trade must be made up by the higher price of the arti¬ 
cle brought. It is a way of levying taxes without directly 
calling the attention of the people to the fact. 

12. It is worthy of careful consideration whether the coun¬ 
try would not gain as much, by removing all these embarrass¬ 
ments to commerce with other countries, and different points 
on our coasts, as has been gained by free trade between the dif¬ 
ferent States. The Constitution forbids taxes to be levied on 
inter-State commerce, or trade, and the country is undoubtedly 
the gainer by such a provision. 

In 1790 a tonnage duty of 50 cents per ton was laid on for¬ 
eign vessels, and six cents on American vessels. During the 
Civil War the tonnage duty was raised ten cents per ton on 
both foreign and American shipping. 

Tonnage is collected only once a year by the collector of the 
port where the vessel happens to be. 


CHAPTEE XII. 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 

1. The Tariff, or Scale of Duties, laid bj the Laws of Con¬ 
gress, on goods brought from foreign countries, requires to be 
paid when they are first introduced ; or we might say, before 
they are introduced. All these goods are stopped as they 
approach the boundary line, or on the boundary line, and 
carefully examined; and they can go no farther until the duties 
imposed by Congress are received. When they have passed 
the Custom House ” they may be as freely sold as goods pro¬ 
duced at home. No government officer has any right to inter¬ 
fere with them. They have paid the duty and have the freedom 
of the land. If they, by any chance or effort, get in by any 
other w^ay, they are treated as stolen goods, and may be seized 
and confiscated. However much they may have cost their 
owners, however highly they may prize them, however unques¬ 
tioned was their ownership before they passed the limits of the 
country, if they are introduced by any other than the Custom 
House Door, all right and title to them by the former owners 
ceases, and they become the property of the government. 

2. So carefully is this point guarded that not only are 
government officers provided for the sole purpose of watching 
against this illegal introduction of goods, but a premium is 
offered to unofficial persons to secure their aid. Any one who 
can point out (and prove the fact) goods of any kind, liable to 
duty, that have not passed the custom house, and j)aid that 
duty, is entitled to half the value of the goods; the other half 
belonging to the government. Smuggling, as bringing goods 

( 176 ) 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 


177 


into the country without paying the duty is called, is held to 
be robbery of the government, and ranks as a serious offense ; 
and it really is so, as long as the government produces its 
income, or part of it, in this way. The law makes it part pro¬ 
prietor in the property until its claim is settled. Besides, to 
take from the government is to take from the people; since 
they must make up, in some other way, for what is subtracted 
in this. 

3. To secure this payment of Duty, then, a large number 
of officers of different grades are appointed, not only to examine 
the goods, determine the amount required to be paid, receive 
the money and keep all the accounts connected with it, but to 
take care that all the goods, of whatever kind, that are not 
permitted an entrance free of duty, shall duly pass examination, 
and be entered,” as it is called, at the custom house. 

4. The Head of these officers is the 

COMMISSIOHEE OF CUSTOMS. 

He superintends the Customs Bureau in the Treasury Depart¬ 
ment. He is nominated, and, with the consent of the Senate, 
appointed by the President. All the accounts of officers em¬ 
ployed in the collection of duties on imports pass through his 
bureau for examination and adjustment; he prepares the forms 
of all papers used in this department of the reve’nue ; directs 
the form of keeping the accounts; brings suits when necessary 
for the recovery of money due from officers of the department; 
and makes a report of any neglect of duty to Congress. A 
complete summary, therefore, of the past and present condition 
of the customs department may be found, at any time, in his 
office. With so perfect a system of supervision it does not 
matter how extensive the organization may be. No confusion 
is possible. There are more than 30,000 persons employed 
under this officer; and they are scattered through the whole 
country where there are Ports of Entry or Delivery, as well as 
keeping guard along the whole coast line and frontier of the 
United States ; yet they are under as complete discipline and 
12 


178 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 


surveillance as the army or navy. This bureau was organized 
in 1849; its business having previously been under the over¬ 
sight of the First Comptroller of the Treasury. It has general 
supervision of the conduct and accounts of all customs offi¬ 
cials. The highest in rank below this are 
THE COLLECTOKS. 

5. Wherever there is a Port of Entry a Collector is ap¬ 
pointed to superintend the collection of duties, receive the 
money, and transmit it to the United States Treasury. He is 
the principal officer of the Collection District connected with 
this Port, which often embraces several Ports of Delivery, and 
is required to see that all is properly conducted in his district. 
He receives his appointment directly from the President and 
Senate, and is removable at the pleasure of the President. 

6. As, in ordinary times, the most of the revenue required 
for the support of the government is derived from Customs, 
this is a responsible office. Great care is required to secure the 
services of competent and faithful men, and the bonds they 
are required to give are large. He nominates the subordinate 
officers connected with his custom-house, and the Secretary of 
the Treasury appoints them, if he sees no objection. 

7. The Collectors take care that all the goods, on which 
Congress has imposed a duty, pay the amount due. To this 
end he often requires one or more deputies. The entire com¬ 
merce of the part of the country falling in his district, with 
other countries, passes under his examination. He receives 
all reports, manifests, and documents required to be exhibited 
by all vessels, domestic and foreign, on their entry into his port, 
and all accounts of all the goods they have on board. On these 
he must estimate the duties, receive the moneys, or bonds 
securing their payment, and grant all permits for landing the 
goods. He transmits, quarterly, all the moneys collected in 
his department, wdthan accurate account of all the transactions 
of his office during the quarter, to the Secretary of the Treas¬ 
ury. These accounts pass to the Customs bureau, and the 
money to the Treasurer of the United States. 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 


179 


8. His duties, as described in the previous section, make 
him acipiainted with all the imports of the country, in his 
District or Port. He is also required to examine the manifests 
of all the vessels, and the accounts of their cargoes, that leave 
his port for a foreign country. Tliis secures a knowledge of 
all the exports of the country. It is his duty to give clearances, 
or permits, to all vessels leaving for foreign ports. It is unlaw¬ 
ful for any vessel to depart without this document. A ship’s 
clearance can be properly given only when her manifest, or 
detailed account of the quantity, kind, and value of her cargo 
is ascertained to be correct. 

9. We give the form of a ship’s Manifest, and also of a 
Clearance. 

A SHIP’S MANIFEST. 

“ Keport and manifest of the cargo laden on board of the 
, whereof is master, which cargo was taken 

on board at the port or ports of , burthen tons, 

built at , in the State of , and owned by , 

merchants at , and bound for .” 

This, together with a particular description of the marks and 
numbers of every bale, box, case, barrel, bundle or parcel on 
board of the vessel, is the manifest. It must be given to the 
collector of whatever port the vessel arrives at; and the master 
of her must swear that it is in all respects a true and accurate 
account of all the cargo on board, to the best of his knowledge 
and belief. 

10. The collector of the port can then compute the duties 
to be paid upon each article, and when these are paid, or secured 
to be paid, he gives permits to land the cargo, and deliver the 
goods to their respective owners. Then come in the duties of 
weighers, gaugers, measurers and inspectors of the customs, 
after permits are obtained to land the goods. If they are such 
as require to be weighed, gauged, or measured, these officers 
are sent to do it; and the inspector must allow nothing to leave 
the ship until he has examined the marks and numbers, to see 
if they correspond with the permit and the manifest. If he 


180 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 


suspects that there is an attempt to defraud the government by 
false names and marks, he is authorized to open the package, 
box, case, cask, or whatever contains the goods, and to examine 
them. In this way smuggling is prevented, and the revenues 
arising from duties on imported goods secured. 

A SHIP'S CLEAPAHCE. 

This document is couched in the following terms ; 

“ District of , Port of , ss. 

“These are to certify, to all whom it may concern, that 
A. B., master or commander of the ship (brig, barque, schooneE 
burthen tons or thereabouts, mounted with guns, 

navigated with men, built, and bound for 

, having on board , hath here entered and cleared 

his said vessel according to law. 

“ Given under our hands and seals, at the custom-house 
of , this day of , one thousand , and 

in the year of the Independence of the United States of 
America.” 

This is signed by the collector and by the naval officer of the 
port, when the commander is prepared to depart with his vessel 
to his destination. 

11. The compensation of collectors is not all given in the 
form of a salary, but in part the fees for services rendered, and 
part of the forfeitures of smuggled goods. In the larger ports 
it is enormous, but in the smaller ones is often insignificant. 
It is a common mode of doing business of this kind, and is 
supposed to stimulate the activity and secure the faithfulness 
of the officer in preventing frauds on the government. The 
working of this plan is sometimes complained of as inspiring 
an over-officiousness embarrassing to trade and unnecessarily 
annoying to importers; and as producing too great an inequal¬ 
ity in incomes. It is difficult to make a system quite perfect. 
Whether this admits of improvement remains to be seen. 

SUEYEYOKS 

12. Are next in rank and authority to the Collectors. They 


COLLECTION OF DUTIES. 


181 


are appointed in the same manner and receive their compensa¬ 
tion in the same way. The Surveyor’s duty is to superintend 
the inspectors, weighers, measurers, and gaugers in his port; 
to visit all vessels arriving in it; make a detailed report of them 
to the Collector; and examine all goods entered for the benefit 
of drawback. 

THE HAYAL OFFICEK 

13. Of a port, is another of the superintendents, appointed 
to oversee the collection of the revenue. His appointment 
depends on the President and Senate, and his compensation on 
the amount of business done in his port, in the same manner 
as the Collector and Surveyor. His duties are, to some extent, 
parallel to those of the Collector ; or he may be called a local 
examiner and auditor of the Collector’s work and accounts, for 
the sake of accuracy and correctness. He receives copies of 
all manifests and entries, and computes the duties on all goods, 
keeping a separate record of them. He must countersign per¬ 
mits, clearances, certificates, debentures, and other documents 
issued by the Collector. He examines the Collector’s accounts, 
bonds, and expenditures, and certifies to them, if correct. 

A great number of deputies and employees are required to 
carry out the details of the collection of duties, since the entire 
amount of imports into the country are required to be carefully 
examined. 

KEYEHUE CUTTEKS 

14. Are employed to guard against smuggling. They are 
vessels of small size, some steamers, and others sailing vessels, 
properly manned and armed, of high powers of speed; and are 
stationed as a coast guard near the ports, and lines of ocean 
travel, to prevent the landing of imported goods before they 
have paid the duty. Their officers are appointed by the Presi¬ 
dent and Senate. 

They look after all the ships going into any port, or any that 
may approach the coast; board them when within four leagues 
(or 12 miles) of the coast; examine the manifest of the cargo 
and every part of the v’-essel; put proper fastenings on the 


182 


GOVERNMENT COINAGE. 


hatches, to prevent unlawful communication with the hold 
until the Custom’s officers have discharged their duty; and 
place a watch on board to remain until the vessel is delivered 
into the charge of the proper revenue officer. 

15. They are revenue officers, and under the control of the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Collectors at the ports near 
which they are stationed. In case the President judges it best, 
they may be called on, at his direction, to cooperate with the 
Navy, and, in case they are disabled in the discharge of their 
duty at such times, are entitled to be treated in the same man¬ 
ner as officers and sailors in the Navy. 

16. Tliese vessels carry a pennant and ensign with such 
marks on them as the President may designate. If any vessel 
liable to seizure refuses to bring to at the direction of the com¬ 
mander of the Cutter, he is authorized to fire into it after 
having shown his pennant and ensign, and compel it to submit 
to be boarded and examined. Much depends on the vigilance 
of these revenue cutters, as the sums paid on goods imported 
amount to a great many millions of dollars, and want of due 
precaution would cause the income of the government to be 
defrauded of large sums. 

The commanders of revenue cutters report all matters relat¬ 
ing to their duties weekly to the Collector of the port. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

GOVERNMENT COINAGE. 

1. The United States mint, located at Philadelphia, is one 
of the most important establishments of the government. An 
act of Congress, passed in 1792, was the first step tow^ards its 
creation. Its design was, and its principal business has been, 



GOVERNMENT COINAGE. 


183 


to coin the precious metals into money. It lias been for more 
than eighteen hundred years the usage of civilized governments 
to coin their own money. Ours, at a very early period of its 
existence, began to do the same thing, and will probably con¬ 
tinue to do it as long as it shall exist. Before the art of coin¬ 
ing was known, the precious metals were used as a standard of 
value, but they passed from one to another by weight. The 
plan of cutting them into small pieces, and then stamping 
their value upon them, by which their worth could be known 
as soon as seen, was an improvement upon the former mode. 
This process is denominated coining. It has of late been 
brought so near perfection that our pieces of money are line 
specimens of art. 

2. The officers, who manage and conduct the operations of, 
this establishment, are a Director, a Treasurer, an Assayer, a 
Melter and Kefiner, a Chief Coiner, and an Engraver. They 
are all appointed by the President and Senate in the usual 
manner. The director appoints the assistants and clerks. 

All must give bonds for the faithful performance of their 
respective duties upon which they enter under oath. The 
duties of these different officers may almost be known by the 
names they bear. The director is the head of the institution, 
and the others act under his general direction, each having his 
appropriate duties to perform. In the month of January of 
each year the director must make a report to the President of 
the operations of the mint and its branches for the preceding 
year. 

3. Any person may take gold or silver bullion or ores to 
the mint and receive it back in coin, for a very trifling expense. 
Before it is coined, after its value has been determined by the 
assayer, the director will give a certificate for it, which is of 
the same value as the bullion deposited. 

4. We have stated that the principal business at the mint 
is the conversion of the precious metals into coin or money. 
But this is not its exclusive business. Another part is to melt 
and assay these metals, and to run them into ingots or bars 


184 


GOVEKNMENT COINAGE. 


either of pure or standard gold and silver, according to the 
wish of its owner. 

Until 1835 the mint at Philadelphia was the only establish¬ 
ment in the United States for coining money. Put in that 
year a law was passed establishing branch mints at New 
Orleans, in Louisiana; at Charlotte, in North Carolina; and at 
Dahionega, in Georgia. In 1852, another branch was estab¬ 
lished in California; in 1862, another at Denver, in Colorado 
Territory; and in 18()3, another at Carson City, in Nevada 
Territory, since made a State; in 1864, another at San Fran¬ 
cisco, in California, and another at Dallas City, in Oregon. 
Except the one in California, but little has ever been done at 
these branches. They are all similar to the principal one at 
Philadelphia; and the laws relating to that are made to apply 
to these branches. 


6. The Constitution gives Congress the exclusive right to 
coin money, and prohibits all the States from doing it. This 
Congress does by the laws it passes in relation to the subject, 
and the various officers and workmen employed to execute the 
work are only the agents of Congress. 

The various coins which Congress has from time to time 


ordered to be made are of the following names and value: 


Gold. Value. 
Eagle, ,$10 00 
Half-Eagle, 5 00 
Quar. Eag., 3 50 
Doub. Eag., 20 00 
Three Dols., 3 00 
One Dollar, 1 00 


Silver. Value. 
Dollar, $1 00 
Half-Dollar, 50 
Quar. Dol., 25 
Dime, 10 

Half Dime. 5 
Three ct. piece, 3 


Copper. 

One cent. 

Two cents. 

Three cents, and 
formerly c. 

But these are now 
discontinued. 


7. Our coins are not made of pure gold and silver; a cer¬ 
tain amount of other metals being added to produce a coin that 
will be less affected by the friction of constant use. This 
alloy, or mixture, of the precious metals is called Standard 
gold or silver, since a definite amount of the alloy is required 
in all the coinage of the government for currency purposes. It 
does not alter the value of the coin; that being dependent on 
the actual merchantable value of the sum of the metals used. 


GOVERNMENT COINAGE. 


185 


By the law of 1837, standard gold and silver were declared to 
be nine hundred parts of pure metal, and one hundred parts 
alloy—equal to one-tenth alloy. Gold coins are alloyed with 
silver and copper, equal parts of each. Silver coins are alloyed 
with copper alone. Gold is declared to be worth hfteen times 
as much as silver by weight. 

In addition to our own coins. Congress has, from time to 
time, passed laws declaring the value of foreign coins, and 
making them a legal tender. But these laws were all repealed 
by the act of 1857, and it was made the duty of the director 
of the mint to have them assayed, and to determine their 
weight, lineness, and value; for they are still used by banks 
and merchants, and pass at the value determined by the mint. 

The mint, up to 1861, had coined in gold, silver, and copper 
coin, 800,662,475 pieces, worth $799,923,362. 

THE UNITED STATES MINT. 

Statement of Domestic Gold and Silver deposited at the United States 
Mint and Branches, for Coinage, to June 30th, 1872. 


From. 

Gold. 

Silver. 

Gold and 
Silver. 

California . 

$642,965,026.09 

$156,423.03 

$64:3,121,449.12 

Montana. 

30,648,265.24 

176,838.57 

30,825,103.81 

Colorado. 

20,3:38.420.96 

1,114,.54:3.4:3 

21,452,964.:39 

Idaho . 

17,141,523.84 

291,681.59 

17,4:33.205.43 

Oregon . 

11,594,979.:33 

1,863.74 

11,.596,843.07 

North Carolina. 

9,865,252.97 

44,110.95 

9,909,:36:3.92 

Nevada. 

1,010,280.17 

8,5:39,868.04 

9,550,148.21 

Georgia. 

7,2:32,:346.96 

403.83 

7 , 2 : 32 , 750.79 

Virginia _ _ 

1,629,188.79 


1,629,188.79 

South Carolina _ 

1,:379,121,92 


1,379,121.92 

Tia.ke Snpe.rior - _ _ . 

1,062,.540.81 

1,062,540.81 

Arizona. 

975,401.39 

' 39,873.08 

1,015 274.47 

Now Alevieo . _ _ 

82:3,021.29 


823.021.29 

Utah . . 

146447.18 

261,204.71 

407,:351.89 

Nebraska . 

24,:381.57 

200,976.53 

22.5,:3.58.10 

Alabama _ _ 

213,7.50.66 


213,7.50.66 

Wyoming Territorv ... 

138,878.12 

86.48 

138,964.60 

TonnesRee - _ 

81,529.69 


81.529.69 

Washington Territorv . 

67,745.:38 


67,74.5.:38 

Nf'W Movir.o and Sonoi'a _ _ 


51,65:3.:31 

51,65:3.:31 

nak<»ta - - -__ _ - .. 

5,760,00 

5,760.00 

Vermont . _ ____ 

5,611.97 


5,611.97 

Kansas. 

1,009.62 

468.00 

1,477,62 

Sitka. - _ _ _ 

:397.64 


:397.64 


108.00 


108.00 

Other Sources.- 

85,226,912.42 

2,7.51.15 

8.5,229,66:3..57 

from Silvpr _ 

4,690,402.:30 


4,690,402.:30 

TTiti p . . .. . _ 

.5,298,490.02 

5,298,490.02 

Parted from Gold-. 


.5,821,721.97 

5,821,721.97 

Total. 

$836,205,463.50 

$23,065,492.24 

$859,270,962.47 






























































186 


GOVEItNMENT COINAGE. 


ASSAY OFFICE. 

1. In 1853 the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to 
establish an office in the city of 'New York for the receipt, 
melting, refining and assaying of gold and silver bullion and 
foreign coins, and for casting the same into bars, ingots, or 
disks. The assistant treasurer of the United States in New 
York, is treasurer of this assay office, and the Secretary of the 
Treasury appoints such other clerks, assistants, and workmen as 
shall be necessary for the management of its business. 

2. Persons having gold or silver bullion, ores or foreign 
coin, may deposit them in his office, and it will be refined and 
assayed (at no more cost than the actual expense of doing the 
work), its value ascertained, and the owner will be paid for it 
in coins of the same value and metal as that deposited. It is 
not coined in this office, but cast into bars, ingots or disks— 
either of pure metal or of standard fineness, as the owner may 
prefer—the true weight and value of which are stamped 
thereon; and the owner may either take them in payment for 
his bullion or foreign coin, or it will be coined for him at the 
United States Mint, if he wishes. The bars spoken of are often 
kept in that form, and are used as coin among banks, brokers, 
and merchants, who receive and pay large amounts of the pre¬ 
cious metals. With them it passes as coin, for its exact weight 
and value are stamped upon it. 

3. This establishment was located at New York more for 
the convenience of those who do business there, than for the 
necessity of such an institution; for at the mint at Philadel¬ 
phia there is a department for doing the same work as is done 
here. But at New York there is a larger amount of foreign 
coin than in any other place, and it is often advantageous to its 
owners to have it converted into American coin, that it may be 
used with greater facility. Although many foreign coins do 
circulate in this country, but few know their value. Conse- 
cpiently they do not pass so readily; and for this reason they 
are melted and run into bars of known value, or re-coined into 
American money. 


CHAPTEE Xiy. 


NATIONAL BANKING. 

1. Tlie present banking system was established by an act of 
Congress in 1863. The plan is quite different from any before 
in use, and commends itself to the whole country by the stabil¬ 
ity it gives to the currency in use in the transaction of its 
business, and the security it furnishes against loss of values 
common under the old systems. They are managed by private 
parties and corporations, apart from the government, but under 
a certain degree of supervision, and by its authority. By the 
act referred to any number of persons not less than five may 
associate themselves together for the purpose of banking, by 
compliance with the following conditions : 

2. First : They must, under their hands and seals, make a 
certificate which shall specify — 

1. The name assumed by such association. 

2. The place where its business is to be conducted. 

3. The amount of its capital stock (which cannot be less than 
$50,000), and the number of its shares. 

4. The names of its shareholders, and the number of shares 
held by each. 

5. The time when such association shall commence business. 

6. A declaration that said certificate is made to enable such 
persons to avail themselves of the advantages of this act. 

3. This certificate must be properly acknowledged before 
some competent person, and must be sent to the comptroller 
of the currency in the Treasury Department, to be recorded 
and kept by him. When this, and all other acts which the law 

(187) 


188 


NATIONAL BANKING. 


requires, has been done by the association, the comptroller of 
the currency gives them a certificate under his hand and official 
seal, to that effect, and tliat they are authorized to commence 
business. This constitutes the association a corporation. They 
have the right to make and use a common seal, and have all 
the rights, and are liable to all the responsibilities of ordinai*y 
legalized corporations ; and may exist not to exceed twenty 
years from the passage of this act. Every shareholder is made 
personally liable for the debts of the association or bank, to the 
amount of the par v^alue of his stock. 

4. In order to secure the holders of bills issued by these 
banks, they must deposit with the Treasurer of the United States, 
United States bonds bearing interest to an amount not less than 
one-third of the capital stock paid in. These bonds are safely 
kept by the Treasurer. The comptroller of the currency then 
issues to the bank an amount of bank notes equal to the amount 
of bonds thus deposited, less ten per cent. In case the bank 
should fail to redeem its circulating bills, its bonds are sold, 
and with the proceeds the comptroller of the currency redeems 
them, or orders them to be paid at the United States Treasury. 
The bonds held by the Treasurer as security for the redemption 
of the bills issued by the association, must be transferred to 
him in trust; thus giving him entire control of them in case 
it becomes necessary to sell them in order to redeem the bills 
of any association which may have failed to pay them on 
demand. 

5. This act has brought a great number of banks into exist¬ 
ence, besides organizing most of the banks formerly existing 
under State laws under this system; so that we have a nearly 
uniform system of banking all over the United States. The 
bills of these banks pass in any part of the country, which was 
not often the case formerly. In case the bank should be mis¬ 
managed, or fail to pay for any cause, there is ample security 
for their redemption deposited in the United States treasury, 
where they will be paid on presentation. 

6. The l>ill-holder is also better protected against counter- 


NATIONAL BANKING. 


189 


feits than he was under the old system ; for all the hills issued 
by these associations are engraved by the government, and the 
plates and dies on which they are printed are kept by the comp¬ 
troller of the currency in the Treasury Department. The en¬ 
graving is done in the best possible manner, and it is exceed¬ 
ingly difficult to counterfeit them. Besides this, they all have 
the imprint of the seal of the Treasury on their face, and are 
numbered and countersigned by the treasurer and register. 
With all these guards and precautions, we have the best paper 
currency ever used since the establishment of the government. 

7. This act necessarily threw upon the Treasury Department 
a great increase of labor, and in order to provide for it a sepa¬ 
rate bureau was created, which is denominated the bureau of 
currency, the chief officer of which is called the comptroller 
of currency. He acts under the general direction of the Secre¬ 
tary of the Treasury. This bureau is charged with the execution 
of this and all other laws that maybe passed by Congress 
respecting the national currency. The comptroller of the cur¬ 
rency is appointed by the President and Senate, has a deputy, 
receives a salary of $5,000 per year, holds his office five years, 
has an official seal, gives bonds to the amount of $100,000, and 
takes and subscribes the oath of office prescribed by the Con¬ 
stitution and the laws. His duties are numerous and very 
responsible, he having hundreds of millions under his care. 

The term national banks, given to these institutions, and 
national currency to the bills they issue, were given from the 
fact that they were organized by an act of Congress, and that 
the security for the redemption of their bills consists exclu¬ 
sively of national bonds; no other securities will be taken. 


CHAPTEE XY. 


FIXANCIAL COXDITIOX OF THE EXITED STATES. 

1. The United States government belongs to its people. 
Those ’ people own property estimated at upwards of thirty 
billions of dollars. The public lands belonging to the govern¬ 
ment are between one and one and a half billions of acres. 
Besides, the public domains contain gold, silver, iron, coal, and 
a large number of other mineral deposits, chiefly in regions 
worthless for agricultural purposes, of unknown, but ascer¬ 
tained to be, at least, a very great quantity — enough to make 
all its present inhabitants millionaires if (besides paying the 
debt) their value could be divided among them. The capacity 
of the country for production is very far beyond what is drawn 
from it now. The future will probably increase it a thousand 
fold, for we are yet a new people, and in the act of settling 
ourselves to the work of development. 

We are very rich, if all our resources are taken into account, 
yet we are in debt. In five years from the commencement of 
the civil war the public debt had run up from less than one hun¬ 
dred million dollars to over two billion seven hundred millions. 
This we began to reduce at once, for as a nation we do not like 
to be in debt; and it was, Deceni])er 1st, 1873, a little over two 
billion one hundred and fifty millions. The debt is, indeed, a 
trifle compared with our vast national property; but we do not 
wish to sell our property at a loss, nor disturb the regular course 
of business; so it stands to be gradually paid in the regular 
course of things, as we find it to be convenient. 

It is a vast sum, but gives more trouble by reason of the 

aoo) 



P^INANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES. 


191 


desire and determination of tlie people to pay it soon, and 
sacrifice no property, than from any inability to meet it. 

We add a talile of the Public Debt for every year since 1791, 
a Statement of the debt in detail Dec. 1st, 1873, and various 
Statistics relating to the finances, resources, and business of the 
country. 


THE PUBLIC DEBT OF THE UHITED STATES, 
In Each Year, from 1791 to 1874. 


1791.... 

...75,463,476.52 

1818_ 

.10:3,466,6:33.8:3 

1845.... 

....17,093,794.80 

1792.... 

.. .77,227,924.66 

1819_ 

- 95,5-29,648.28 

1846.... 

...16,750,926.33 

1793.... 

...80,:352,6:34.04 

1820_ 

. 91,015,566.15 

1847.... 


1794.... 

...78,427,404.77 

1821_ 

. 89,987,427.66 

1848.... 

...48,526,:379.:37 

1795.... 

...80,747,587.38 

- 1822_ 

. 93,546,676.98 

1849.... 

...64.764,693.71 

1796.... 

...8:3,762,172.07 

18-23_ 

. 90,875,877.28 

1850.... 

,...64,-2-28,-2:38.:37 

1797.... 

...82,064,479.33 

1824_ 

. 90,269,777.77 

18.51.... 


1798.... 

...79,2-28,529.12 

1825_ 

. 83,788,4:32.71 

1852.... 

...65,1:31,692.13 

1799.... 

...78,408,669.77 

1826_ 

. 81,054,059.99 

1853.... 

...67,340,6-28.78 

1800.... 

...82,976,-294.:35 

1827_ 

. 73.987,357.20 

1854.... 

...47,-242,-206.05 

1801.... 

...83,0:38,050.80 

1828_ 

. 67,475,043.87 

1855.... 

...39,969,731.05 

1802.... 

...80,712,632.25 

1829_ 

. 58,421,413.67 

1856.... 

...:30,96:3,909.64 

180:3.... 

...77,054,686.30 

1830_ 

- 48,565,406..50 

1857.... 

...29,060,386.90 

1804.... 

...86,427,120.88 

18.31_ 

. 39,12:3,191.68 

1858.... 

...44,910,777.66 

1805.... 

...8-2,31-2,150.50 

1832_ 

. 24,32-2,235.18 

1859.... 

.. ..58,754,699.:3:3 

1806.... 

...75,7-23,270.66 

1833_ 

. 7,001,0.32.88 

I860.... 

,...64,769,703.08 

1807.... 

...69,-218,:398.64 

18:34_ 

. 4,760,081.08 

1861.... 

...90,867,828.68 

1808.... 

...65,196,:317.97 

18:35_ 

351,289.05 

1862.... 

..514,211,:371.9-2 

1809.... 

...57,02:3,192.09 

1836_ 

291,089.05 

186:3.... 

1,098,79:3,181.:37 

1810.... 

...5:3,17:3,-217.52 

18.37_ 

. 1,878,-223.55 

1864.... 

1,740,690,489.49 

1811.... 

...48,005,587.76 

18:38_ 

. 4,857,660.46 

1865.... 

2,682,593,626.53 

1812.... 

...45,-209,737.90 

18:39_ 

. 11,98:3,7.37.53 

1866. .. 

2,783,4-25,879.21 

1813.... 

...,55,962,827.57 

1840_ 

. 5,125,077.63 

1867.... 

2,692.199,215.12 

1814.... 

...81,487,846.-24 

1841_ 

. 6,7.37,398.00 

1868.... 

2,643,753,566.:38 

1815.... 

...99,8:3:3,660.15 

1842_ 

. 15,028,486.:37 

1869.... 

2,652,5:33,662.28 

1816.... 

..l-27,,334,9:3:3.74 

1843_ 

. 27,203,450.69 

1870.... 

2,509,270,608.00 

1817.... 

..123,491,965.16 

1844_ 

. 24,748,188.2:3 

1871.... 

2,:363,573,543.00 


1872.2,19^ 

r,743 440.72 

1873. 

.2,153,489,155.96 


UNITED STATES BONDS. 


Sixes of 1861.—Dated 1861, and redeemable in twenty years from January 1st and July 
Ist of that year. Interest six per cent, in gold, payable semi-annually—January 1st and 
July 1st. These Bonds were issued in three series : Under Act February 8th, 1861, 
$18,415,000; dated variously in 1861. Under Acts July 17th and August 5th, 1861, $50,000,000; 
dated November 16th, 1861. Under Acts July 17th and August 5th, 1861, in exchange for 
7-30’8, $139,317,150; dated November 16th, 1861. Under Act March 3d, 1863, and principal 
made especially payable in gold coin, $75,000,000 ; dated June 15th, 1864. Total issue, 
$282.73-2,150. 

Five-Twenties of 1862.—Commonly termed Five-Twenties, dated May 1st, 1862. 
Redeemable after five years, and payable in twenty years from date. Interest six per 
cent, in gold, payable the first of May and November. Issued under Act February 25th, 
1862. $514,771,600. 

Five-Twenties of 1864.—Dated November 1st, 1864. Redeemable after five, and pay¬ 
able in twenty years. Interest, six per cent, in gold, payable 1st of May and November. 
Issued under Act March 3d, 1864 (principal specified as payable in gold), $3,882,500. Issued 
under Act June 30th, 1864, $125,561,300. Total issue, $129,443,800. 










































































192 


FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES. 


Five-Twenties or 1865.—Dated July 1st, 1865. Interest, six per cent, in gold, payable 
January and July. They are redeemable in live years, and payable in twenty years. Is¬ 
sued under Act March 3d, 1865, in exchange for 7-30 notes converted, and amount, August 
1st, 1868, to $372,346,350. 

Five-Twenties of 1865.—Dated November let, 1865. Kedeemable after five, and pay¬ 
able in twenty years. Interest, six per cent, in gold, payable let of May and November. 
Issued under Act March 3d, 1865, $197,777,250. 

Five-Twenties of 1867. Dated July Ist, 1867. Redeemable in five, and payable in 
twenty years. Interest, six per cent, in gold, payable 1st of January and July. Issued under 
Act March 3,1865, in exchange for 7-30 notes, and amount, August Ist, 1868, to $371,346,350. 

Five-Twenties of 1868.—Dated July 1st, 1868. Redeemable in five, and payable in 
twenty years. Interest, six per cent, in gold, payable Ist of January and July. Issued 
under Act March 3d, 1865, in exchange for 7-30 notes, and amount, August Ist, 1868, to 
$39,000,000. 

Ten-Forties. —Dated March Ist, 1864. Redeemable in ten and payable in forty years. 
Interest, five per cent, in gold, payable on the Ist of March and September on all Regis¬ 
tered Bonds, and on all Coupon Bonds of the denomination of $500 and $1,000. On the 
$50 and $100 Bonds, interest is paid annually, March 1st. Issued under Act March 3d, 
1863, and Supplement, March 3d, 1864; principal, payable in gold, $194,291,500. 

Fives of 1870.—Redeemable at the pleasure of the United States, after May 1, 1881, in 
gold. Interest, five per cent, in gold, payable quarterly — February, May, August, and 
November Ist. Exempt from all taxation. Issued under Acts of July 14th, 1870, and Jan¬ 
uary 20th, 1871. Amount, $200,000,000. 

U. S. Pacific Railroad Currency Sixes. — Dated January 16th, 1865, and variously 
thereafter. These Bonds are issued by the Government, under Acts July 1st, 1862, and 
July 2d, 1864, to companies receiving their charter from Congress, which gives them the 
right to construct railroads to and from the Pacific Coast, and on the completion of each 
twenty miles of track, to receive at the rate of $16,000, $22,000, or $48,000 per mile, accord¬ 
ing to the difliculty of constructing the same. They are payable thirty years from date 
of issue, and are registered in (Bonds of $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000. Amount issued to 
September 1st, 1870, $64,618,832. All of the Bonds are issued “ Coupon ” or “ Registered.” 
Coupon Bonds can be changed into Registered Bonds, but Registered Bonds cannot be 
changed into Coupons. Coupon Bonds are in denominations of $50, $100, $500, and 
$1,000: the Registered Bonds the same, with addition of $5,000 and $10,000. 


FINANCIAL CONDI^nON OF THE UNITED STATES, 


193 


THE PUBLIC DEBT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
S tat em 67it of N o v e 7)it) e r 3 0, 1873. 

DEBT BEARING INTEREST IN COIN. 


Title of Loan. 


Authorizing Act. 


Loan of 1858. 

Loan of February, 1861 (’81’8)-. 

Oregon War Debt. 

Loan of Jul^ and Aug.l861(’81’s) 

Five-twenties of 1862. 

Loan of 1863 (’8re). 

Ten-forties of 1864. 

Five-twenties of March, 1864.. 

Five-twenties of June, 1864_ 

Five-twenties of 1865. 

Consols of 1865. 

Consols of 1867. 

Consols of 1868. 

Funded Loan of 1881. 


June 14,1858. 

February 8,1861.... 

March 2, 1^1. 

July 17 & Aug. 5, ’61 
February 25,1862... 

March 3, 1863. 

March 3,1864 . 

March 3, 1864 . 

June 30,1864. 

March 3,1865. 

March 3,1865. 

March 3,1865. 

March 3,1865. 

J’yl4,’70&Jan.20,’71 


Rate 
of Int 

When Redeemable. 

When 

Payable. 

5p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p-ct. 
6 p.ct. 
5p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
6 p.ct. 
5 p.ct. 

After Jan. 1,1874 .. 



Dec. 31, ’80 
July 1,1881 


After June 30,1881. 

After May 1, 1867 .. 
After June 30, 1881. 
After March 1, 1874. 
After Nov. 1, 1869.. 
After Nov. 1, 1869.. 
After Nov. 1, 1870.. 
After July 1,1870... 
After July 1,1872... 
After Julyl, 1873... 
After May 1,1881 

May 1,1882 

M’h 1,1904 
Nov.l, 1884 
Nov.l, 1884 
Nov.l, 1885 
Julyl, 1885 
Julyl, 1887 
July 1,1888 


Title of Loan. 


Loan of 1858. 

Loan of February, 1861 (’81’s).. 

Oregon War Debt. 

Loan of July & Aug. 1861 (’81’s) 

Five-twenties of 1862. 

Loan of 1863 (’81’s). 

Ten-forties of 1864. 

Five-twenties of March, 1864 .. 

Five-twenties of Jxine, 1864_ 

Five-twenties of 1865. 

Consols of 1865. 

Consols of 1867. 

Consols of 1868. 

Funded Loan of 1881. 

Total. 


Interest Payable 

Amount 

Outstanding 

Interest due 
and unpaid. 

Accrued In* 
terest to date 

Jan. and July... 

$20,000,000 

$96,950.00 

$416,666 67 

Jan. and July... 

18,415,000 

37,479.00 

460.:375.00 

Jan. and July... 

94.5,000 

6 , 7 : 34.75 

2:3,625.00 

Jan. and July... 

189,321,.350 

462,011.29 

4 , 733 , 0 : 33.75 

May and Nov... 

172,658,350 

2,849,526.78 

863,291.75 

Jan. and July... 

75,000,000 

155,:316.05 

1,875.000.00 

March and Sept. 

194,567,300 

270,852.71 

2,432,091.25 

May and Nov... 

946,600 

2,473,:3:3 

4,733.00 

May and Nov... 

58,081,200 

314,081.94 

290,406.00 

May and Nov... 

152,711,350 

2,224,805..35 

763,.556.75 

Jan. and July... 

202 , 6 : 1 : 3,100 

1,070.873.41 

5,065,827.50 

Jan. and July... 

:310,654,200 

2,076,804.02 

7,766,355,00 

Jan. and July... 

:37.474,000 

147,874.00 

9:36,850.00 

Feb., May, etc... 

283,2:34,100 

1,224,6.36.83 

1,180,142.08 


$1,716,641,550 

$10,940,419.46 

$26,811,953.75 


DEBT ON WHICH INTEREST HAS CEASED SINCE MATURITY. 


Title of Loan. 


Old Debt... 

Mexican Indemnity Stock.. 

Loan of 1847. 

Bounty Land Scrip. 

Texan Indemnity Stock.... 

Loan of 1860. 

Five-twenties, 1862 (called). 
Treasury Notes piuor to 1846 

Treasury Notes of 1846. 

Treasury Notes of 1847. 

Treasury Notes of 18.57. 

Treasury Notes of 1861. 

Seven-thirties of 1861. 

One-year Notes of 1863. 

Two-year Notes of 1863. 

Compound-interest Notes.. 
Seven-thirties of 1864 & 1865 
Certificates of Indebtedness 

Temporary Loan. 

Three perct. certifs (called) 


When Matured. 

Amount 

Outstand’g. 

Interest 

Accrued. 

At various dates prior to Jan. 1,1837 

$57,665,00 

$64,174.81 

At various dates in 1851 and 1852.... 

1,104.91 

85.74 

Dec. :31,1867 . 

1,650.00 

22.00 

Julv I 4 &I 9 . 

:3,500.00 

226.60 

Dec. 31, 1864. 

174,000.00 

9,450.00 

Jan. 1, 1871. 

10,000.00 

625.00 

Dec. 1,1871, and at subsequent dates 

19,64.5,600.00 

174,650.62 

At various dates from 18.38 to 1844... 

82,575.35 

2,670.76 

At various dates in 1847 and 1848... 

6,000.00 

206.00 

At various dates in 1848 and 1849- 

950.00 

57.00 

At various dates in 1858and 1859.... 

2,000 00 

108.00 

March 1,1863 . 

3,150.00 

:378.00 

Aug. 19 and Oct. 1,1864. 

19,250.00 

1,4:38.23 

At various dates in 1865 . 

80,495.00 

4,0:36.85 

At various dates in 1806. 

55,600,00 

3,755.92 

June 10, 1867, and May 1.5,1868. 

Aug. 15,'67, June 15 and Jul3'^15,1868 

451,170.00 

90 , 0 : 35,33 

263,300.00 

21,894.97 

At various dates in 1866. 

5,000.00 

.313.48 

October 15, 1866. 

78,560.00 

7,.343.80 

February 28, 1873 . 

5,000.00 

394.:31 

hich Interest has ceased.$ 

20,946,570.26 

$:381,867.42 


13 









































































































194 


DEBT BEAKTNG- INTEREST IN LAWFUL MONEY 


Title of Loan. 

Rate. 

When Payable. 

Int. pay’ble 

Amount. 

Past 

dueln 

Accr’d 

Inter’st 

Navy Pension 
Fund .. 

3 p. ct. 

4 p. ct. 

Interest applied to pen¬ 
sions - 

J anuary & 
July... 
March and 
Sept... 

$14,000,000 

678,000 


$175,00) 

6,780 

Cert, of Indebted¬ 
ness of 1870... 

Payable September 1, 
1875. 

$40.00 

Aggregate of Debt bearing Interest inlawful money. 

’$14,678,000 

$40.00 

$181,780 


DEBT BEARING NO INTEREST. 


Title of Loan. 


Authorizing Acts. 


Amount. 


Old Demand Notes.... 
Legal Tender Notes ... 
Certificates of Deposit. 

Fractional Currency_ 

Coin Certificates. 

Unclaimed Interest.... 


July 17,1861, and Feb. 12,1862.. 

Feb, 25,1862, July 11,1852, and March 3,186:3 
June8,1872, (Clearing-House Certificates).. 
July 17,1862, March :3, 186:3, and June :30,1864, 
March 3,1863.. 


.§79,667.50 
366,922,018 00 
20,150,000.00 
48,041,349.95 
30,220,600.00 
22,664.84 


Aggregate of Debt bearing no Interest 


$465,4:36,300.29 


RECAPITULATION. 


Description of Debt. 


Debt bearing interest in coin. 

Debt bearing currency interest.... 

Debt on which interest has ceased. 
Debt bearing no interest. 


Bonds at 6 per cent. 

Bonds at 5 per cent. 

Certificates of indebtedness at 4 per ct 
Navy Pension Fund at 3 percent. 


Old Demand and Legal-tender Notes. 

Certificates of Deposit.... 

Fractional currency. 

Coin certificates. 


Amount. 


$1,218,840,150.00 

497,801,400,00 

678,000.00 

14,000,000.00 

20,946,570.26 

367,001,685.50 

20,150,000.00 

48,041,349.95 

30,220,600.00 


Total Principal of Debt.. 

Add interest unpaid and accrued. 


$2,217,679,755.71 

38,338,725.47 


Total Debt. 

Cash in the Treasury—Coin. .$^,709,987.44 

Currency.. 1,296,440.28 

Special deposit for redemption of certificates of deposit.. 20,150,000.00 

Debt, less cash in the Treasury, December 1,1873.. 

Debt, less cash in the Treasury, November 1,1873. 

Increase of Debt during the past month. 

Decrease of Debt since December 1,1872. 


$2,256,018,481.18 
105,156,427.72 


$2,150,862,05:3.46 

2,141,833,476.62 


^9,028„576.84 


$9,705,976.86 


CURRENCY BONDS ISSUED TO THE PACIFIC RAILROADS. 


{Not Included in the Public Debt as above stated.) 


Name of Railroad. 

Authorizing Acts. 

Rate of Int. 

When Payable. 

Int. Payable. 

Central Pacific... 

Kansas Pacific. 

Union Pacific. 

Central Branch,U.Pacilic 

Western Pacific. 

Sioux City and Pacific... 

Julyl,'62, &July2,’64 
July 1,’62, & July 2,’64 
Julyl,’62, & July 2,’64 
July 1,’62, & July2,'64 
July 1,’62, & July 2,’64 
Julyl,’62, & July2,’64( 

3 per cent. 

3 per cent. 

3 per cent. 

3 per cent. 

3 per cent. 

3 per cent. 

30 yrs. fm. date. 
:30 yrs. fm. date. 
30 yrs. fm. date. 
:30 yrs. fm. date. 
:30 yrs. fm. date. 
.30 jTs. fm. date. 

Jan. & July. 
Jan. & July. 
Jan. & Julyl 
Jan. «fe July. 
Jan. & July. 
Jan. & Jill)' 

Name of Railroad. 

Principal 
Outs tan d'g 

Int. accru’d 

& not yet pd 

Int. paid by 

United States 

int. repaid by 

tran.mails,&c 

Bal. of Int. 
paidby U.S. 

Central Pacific. 

Kansas Pacific .. 

Union Pacific. 

Central Br’ch,U. Pacific 

Western Pacific. 

Sioux City and Pacific. 

Totals. 

$25,885,120 

6,:303,000 

27,2:36,512 

1,600,000 

1,970,.560 

1,628,:320 

$647,128.00 

157,575.00 

680,912.80 

40,000.00 

49,264.00 

40,768.00 

$7,921,483.27 

2,:347,5:33.09 

8,615,943.21 

589,808.26 

485,912.94 

487,305.49 

$732,295.40 

1,173,682.45 

2,601.483.02 

21,893.27 

9,367.00 

6,731.89 

$7,189,187.87 

1,173,850.64 

6,014,460.19 

567,914.99 

476.545.94 

480,573.60 

$64,62:3,512 

$1,015„587.8C 

$20,447,986.26 

$4,545,453.03 

115,902.533.23 


The foregoing is a correct statement of the Public Debt, as appears from the books 
and I rcasurer s Returns in the Department at the close of business, November 30,1873. 

WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, Secretary of the Treasury. 


t 





























































































































W E A L T H O F T H E UNIT E D STATES 


195 


States and Territories. 


United States 

States.. 

Alabama. 

Arkansas. 

California. 

Connecticut_ 

Delaware. 

Florida. 

Georgia. 

Illinois.. 

Indiana. 

Iowa. 

Kansas. 

Kentucky.. 

Louisiana. 

Maine. 

Maryland.. 

Massachusetts.... 

Michigan... 

Minnesota.. 

Mississippi. 

Missouri. 

Nebraska.. 

Nevada.. 

New Hampshire... 

New Jersey. 

New York. 

North Carolina.... 

Ohio. 

Oregon. 

Pennsylvania. 

Khode Island. 

South Carolina.... 

Tennessee. 

Texas . 

Vermont. 

Virginia. 

West Virginia. 

Wisconsin. 


Territories. 


Arizona. 

Colorado. 

Dakota.. 

District of Columbia 

Idaho. 

Montana.. 

New' Mexico.. 

Utah. 

Washington. 

Wyoming. 


Real and Per 
sonal Estate. 

Real and Per¬ 
sonal Estate. 

Real and Per¬ 
sonal Estate. 

1870. 

1860. 

1850. 

. $30,068,518,507 

$16,159,616,068 

$7,1:35,780,228 

29,822,535,140 

16,086,519,771 

7,115,600,800 

201,855,841 
156,394,691 
638,767,017 
774,631,524 
97,180,833 
44,163,655 
268,169,207 
2,121,680,579 
. 1,268,180,543 

717,644,750 
188,892,014 
604,318,552 
323,125,666 
348,155,671 
643,748,976 
2,132,148,741 
719,208,118 
228,909,590 
209,197,345 
1,284,922,897 
69,277,483 
31,134,012 
252,624,112 
940,976,064 
6,500,841,264 
260,757,244 
2,2:15,430,300 
51,558,9:32 
3,808,.340,111 
296.965,646 
208,146,989 
498 2:37,724 
159,0.52,.542 
2:35, :349.55:3 
409,.588,1,33 
190.651,491 
702.:307,:329 

495,2:37,078 

219,256,473 

207,874,613 

444,274,114 

46,242,181 

7:3,101,500 

645,895,2:37 

871,860,282 

528,8:35,:371 

247,3:38,265 

31,327,895 

666,043,112 

602,118,568 

190,211,600 

:376,919,944 

815,2:37,4:33 

257,163,983 

52,294,413 

607,324.911 

501,214,:398 

9,131,056 

228,204,3.32 

39,841,025 

22,161.872 

155,707,980 

21,062,556 

22,862,270 

.3:35,425,714 

156,265,006 

202,650,264 

23,714,638 

301,628,456 

2,33,998.764 

122,777,571 

219,217,364 

573,342,286 

59,787,255 

228,9.51,1.30 

137,247,707 

156,310,860 

467,918,.324 

1,843,:3:38.517 

358,739,399 

1,193,898,422 

28,9:30,637 

1,416,501,818 

135,:3:37,588 

548.1:38,754 

493,903,892 

365,200,614 

122,477,170 

793,249,681 

103,652,835 

200,000,000 

1,080.:309,216 

226,800,472 

504.726.120 
5,063,474 

722.486.120 
80,508,794 

288,257,694 

201,246,686 

52,740,473 

92,205,049 

430,701,082 

273,671,668 

42,056,595 

:245.98:3.367 

73,096,297 

20,179,428 

$3,440,791 
20,243,303 
5,599,752 
126,873,616 
6,552,681 
15.184,.522 
:31,.349,793 
16,159,995 
13,562,164 
7,016,748 







41,084,945 

14,018,814 



20,813,768 

5,.596,118 
5,601,466 

5,174,471 

986,083 


THE AVERAGE 


1. New York.$1,483.27 

2. Massachusetts.. 1,463.03 

3. Connecticut_ 1,441.30 

4. Rhode Island... 1,366.28 

5. California.1,140.15 

6 . Pennsylvania .. 1,081.31 

7. New Jersey. 1,038.49 

8 . Ohio. 838.73 

9. Illinois. 835.34 

10. Maryland. 824..37 

11. New'Hampshire, 793.66 

12. Delaw'are. 777.35 

13. Indiana. 754.58 


WEALTH TO EACH 


14. Missouri.$746.48 

15. Nevada. 732.72 

16. Vermont. 711.99 

17. Wisconsin. 665.90 

18. Michigan. 607.41 

19. Iowa. 601.03 

20. Oregon. 567.06 

21. Nebraska. 563.26 

22. Maine. 5.55.35 

23- Minnesota. 520.60 

24. Kansas. 518.36 

25. Kentucky. 457.46 


INDIVIDUAL. 


26. Louisiana. ..$4*44.51 

27. West Virginia-431.32 

28. Tennessee. 395.89 

29. Virginia. 334.31 

30. Arkansas. 322.81 

31. South Carolina... 294.99 

32. Mississippi. 252.67 

33. North Carolina... 243.39 

34. Florida.2.35.23 

35. Georgia. 226.47 

36. Alabama. 202.46 

37. Texas. 194.30 






































































































































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Appropriations made by the 

FOR DEFICIENCIES. YEAR ENDING 
JUNE :i0, 1873. 

By Chap. 18—For siiudrv jjurposes..$457,913 
By Cliap. 2;27—For the U. S. Mints .. 45,250 
By Chap. 228—Clerks, etc., of Senate, 17,500 

State Department. 132,222 

Treasury Department. 1,879,870 

Territorial Governments. 33,2(59 

War Department...2,9(51,495 

Interior Department. 1,825,334 

Extension of Capitol grounds.. 284,199 
Department of Justice. 1,385.844 

Total deficiencies.$9,022,89(5 

FOR THE YEAR 1873-4: 

By Chap. 19—Removal of wreck olf 

Sandy Hook. $15,000 

By Chap. 23—For Pensions.:10,480,000 

By Chap. 34—Life-saving Stations, 2.000 

By Chap. 54—Snag-boat. 25,000 

By Chap. 06—Ontario Co. N. Y. 18,000 

By Chap. 84—Fire Department of D.C. 25,000 
By Chap. 105—Am. and Brit. Claims 113,500 
By Chap.122—Commission,Kansas, 

Louisiana & Arkansas elections, 30,000 
By Chap. 136—British Bound’y Com. 5,000 

By Chap. 138—For Indians.5,517,937 

By Chap. 169—Extension of Military 

Reservation at Camp Mohave.. 14,219 
By Chap. 175—Fortifications, etc... 1,899,000 
By Chap. 184—Diplomatic Service. 1,311,359 
By Chap. 185—Penitentiary, Wash¬ 
ington Territory. 40,000 

By Chap. 208—Kansas Sen’al elect’n 10,000 
By Chap. 210—Support Milit'yAcad. 344,318 
Ry Chap. 218—Kansas Sen’al elect’n 10,000 
By Chap. 226 —Legislative, Execu¬ 
tive, AND Judicial Expenses: 

Pay and Mileage of Senate. 570,000 

Pay and Mileage of House. 2,327,500 

Salary of President. 50,000 

Salary of Vice-President.. 10,000 

Clerks, etc., of Senate.. . 319,920 

Clerks, etc., of House. 525,199 

Office of Public Printer. 16,414 

Library of Congress. 64,786 

Police and Care of Buildings, etc. 48,944 

Office of President, Salaries. 21,300 

State Department, Salaries, and 

Publishing the Laws.. 178,820 

Treasury Departm’t, Salarie8,etc. 8,342,670 

Mints and Assay Offices.. 787,472 

Territorial Governments. 260,780 

War Department, Salaries. 68:1,790 

Navy Department, Salaries. 144,940 

Interior Department, Patent Of¬ 
fice, etc.. Salaries.1,712,690 

Post Office Department, Salaries, 490.132 
Department Agriculture, Salaries 126,(590 
Department of Justice, Salaries, 986.210 
By Chap.227 —Sundry Civil Exp’s : 

Public Printing and Binding_ 2,0.53,500 

Treasury Department. 2,203,418 

Judiciary, Exp. U. S. Courts, etc. 3,159,(X)0 
Miscellaneous, Treasury Depart’t 1,179.337 

Interior Department.. 1.752,090 

District of Columbia, Police, etc. 874,242 

Coast Survey. 766.000 

Light House Establishment. 3,198.970 

Mints.-. 425,500 

Repairs of Public Buildings. 225,000 

Armories and Arsenals. 777,645 

Buildings and Grounds at Wash’n 345,700 
Miscellaneous, War Department, 1,047,137 
Navy Department, Navy Tards.. 1,512*193 

Department of Agriculture- 40,960 

State Deiiartment... 128,500 

By Chap.228—Postage for Depart’ts 1.8(55,9(X) 
By Chap.229—Support of the Army 31.79(i,(K)9 
Bv Chap.230—Support of the Navv 22.276,2.57 


XLII Congress, 111 Session. 

By Chap. 2:13—^River and Harbor 

Improvements... $6,012,900 

By Chap.247—Governm’t Japan,etc. 1:1,500 

By Chap. 320—Monument at Salis¬ 
bury, N. C. 10,000 

By Chap. 327—Investigation of Boil¬ 
er Explosions. 100,000 

By Chap. :3:3:3—Round Valley Indian 

Reservation. 5,000 

By Resolution No.:3—Vienna Exhb. 200,000 
By Chap.:3:39—Paym’t Claims allow’d 
by Commissioners of Claims un¬ 
der Act of March 3,1871. 789,084 

By Chap. 20—Expenses of Commis¬ 
sion to Inquire into Depreda¬ 
tions on the Texas Frontiers... 18,490 
By Chap. :312—Completion of Mili¬ 
tary road from Santa Fe to Taos 25,(XK) 
By sundry Private Claim Bills. 652.242 

Total.-.$ 17 : 3 , 51 1,:3:31 

For Construction of Public Buildings, 
ETC. BY Various Acts : 

At Atlanta, Ga. $110,000 

At Bath, Me. 5,000 

At Evansville, Ind. 200,000 

At Nashville, Tenn. 150,000 

At San Francisco (Mar. Hosp.)_ 58,790 

At Covington, Ky. 130,000 

At Memphis, Tenn. 25,000 

At Lincoln, Neb. 130,(000 

At Grand Rapids, Mich. 200,0(X) 

At Dover, Del. 40,000 

At New York (Post Office). 2,400,0(50 

At Rockland, Me. 75,000 

At Boston (Custom House). 30,000 

At Fall River, Mass. 200,0(X) 

State Departm’t Building, Wash’n, 1,500,0('0 

At Albany . 150,000 

At Philaclelphia (Post Office). 1,500,0(X» 

At Charleston, S. C... 172,082 

At Columbia, S. C. 100,0tX) 

At New Orleans (Custom House),.. 170,000 

At Port Huron, Mich... lOO.OOO 

At Cincinnati. 750,000 

At Knoxville, Tenn. 166,747 

At Nashville, Tenn. 150,0(X) 

At Chicago. 800,000 

At Chicago (Marine Hospital). 2:3,825 

At Omaha, Neb. 71,0(X5 

At San Francisco (Appr’sers’stores) 408,000 

At Portland, Oregon. 76,500 

At Saint Louis. 1,000,000 

At Raleigh, N. C. 100,0(X5 

At Boston (Post Office). 800,000 

At Parkersburg, W. Va. 1.50,000 

At Jersey City, N. J. 1(X),0(X) 

At Pittsburgh. 300,0(Xt 


Total for Public Buildings..-$12,:341,944 

For Washington Board Public Works : 

By Chap. 18—For paving, etc.$1,241,921 

By Chap. 227, for work clone....... 188,003 

Work done, not heretofore paid.. 106,5:3:3 

To complete improvements. 913.497 

To reimburse city of Washington, l,00l),O(M5 

Total, Board of Works.$:3.449,954 

RECAPITULATION. 

Deficiencies. $9,022,896 

General Purposes, 1873-4.. 173,511,:3:31 

Custom Houses and other Public 

Buildings. 12,341,944 

Washington Board Public Works, 3,449,954 

Grand Total..$198,:326,125 

The above amount does not include the 
back pav taken from the Treasury by the 


























































































Statistics of the Peincipal U. S. aotd Canadian Eailkoads. 


Name of Road. 


Albany & Susquehanna 
Atlantic & Gt. Western 

Atlantic & Pacific. 

Baltimore & Ohio. 

Boston & Albany. 

Boston & Lowell. 

Boston & Maine. 

Boston & Providence.. 

Central, of Georgia_ 

Central, of New Jersey, 

Central Pacific. 

Char. Colurnb.& Aug’ta, 
Chesapeake & Ohio.... 

Cheshire.- 

Chicago & Alton. 

Chicago,Burl. A (Quincy 
Chic. & Northwestern.. 
Chic. Rock I. & Pacific, 
Cincin. Ham. & Dayton, 
Cin. Sand. & Cleveland, 
Clevel’d, Col. Cin. & I., 
Cleveland & Pittsburgh 
Colum.Chic.& Ind.Cen. 

Concord . 

Connecticut River_ 

Conn. & Passumpsic.. 
Del. Lac. & Western... 
Del. and Hudson Canal, 
Detroit & Milwaukee.. 
E. Tenn. Va. & Georgia 

Eastern... 

Erie. 

Fitchburg. 

Georgia. 

Grand Rapids & Indi’a, 
Grand Trunk of Canada 
Gt. Western of Canada, 
Hannibal <& St. Joseph, 
Houston & Texas Cent. 

Illinois Central. 

Ind. Bloom. & Western, 
Ind. Cincin.& Lafayette 
Indianapolis & St.Louis 

Kansas Pacific. 

Lake Sh. & Mich. Sou’n 

Lehigh Valley. 

Long Island.. 

Louisville & Nashville. 

Maine Central. 

Marietta & Cincinnati, 
Memphis A Charleston, 

Michigan Central. 

Milwaukee & St. Paul.. 
Mississippi Central.... 
Mo. Kansas & Texas... 

Mobile & Ohio. 

Nashv.Chat. & St.Louis 
N.O. Jackson & Gt.Nor. 
New York A Harlem... 
N. Y. Central A Hudson 
N. Y., N. Haven A Hartf. 
North Pennsylvania... 

Northern Central. 

Ohio A Mississippi. 

Old Colony. 

Pennsylvania. 

Philadelphia A Reading 
Phih.Wilm.A Baltimore 
Pitts., Ft.W. A Chicago 
Providence A Worcester 
Rensselaer A Saratoga, 
Rockford, R. I. A St. JL. 
Rome, Wat. AOgd’burgh 
St. Louis A Iron Moun. 
St. L., Kansas C. A Nor. 

South Carolina.. 

Toledo, Wab. A Western 

Union Pacific. 

United Comps, of N. J.l 


Ml’s 

op'd 

Capital 

Stock. 

Funded 

Debt. 

Gross 

Earnings 

Operat’g 

Expense 

1 Int.anc 
. Rents. 

1 Divi¬ 
dends. 

Year 

Ended. 

1()4 

$5,000,000 

$4,:367,OOC 

$1,341,228 

$917,40( 

3 .$:311,()8i 

$178,500 

Sept 

. .30 

’72 

604 

24.358,700 

62,800,()9:: 

5,4.56,89( 

3,569,97- 

1 2,.507.:39£ 

none. 

June 30, 

•73 

818 

23,400,000 

27.4(X).OO0 

4,819,712 

2 , 7 . 54 , 11 :: 

t'l,564,00C 

none. 

Dec. 

31 

’72 

11(H) 

18,369,862 

19.789,47:3 

15,695,542 

10,i:37,05:i 

not stat. 

1,479,310 

Sept 

. 30 

’73 

268 

19,664,100 

3 , 0 : 37,000 

9,2.59,-599 

6,896,984 

115,155 

2,004,469 

Sept 

. 30, 

’72 

43 

2,2;34,(X)0 

922,500 

1,293,970 

1 , 0 . 52 , 9 . 5:3 

:39,4.56 

189,700 

4(> 


144 

6,816,835 

1,:341,861 

2,004,672 

1,542,016 

not stat. 

500,000 




66 

3,950,000 

None. 

1,822,108 

1,425,003 

none. 

:395,000 

Sept 

.30, 

73 

660 

5,000,000 

1,:389,000 

1,656,154 

966,846 

102,:30.5 

500,000 

Nov. 

.30, 

72 

272 

20,000,000 

6,900,000 

7,120,718 

4,2:36,806 

4.53,042 

1,755,570 

Dec. 

Jl, 

72 

1219 

54,275,-500 

80,4:39,680 

12,924,963 

5,634,943 

3,554,299 

none 


bV 


195 

2,578,000 

1,:300,000 

686 , 4:32 

395,428 

1.50,813 

none. 




315 

13,400,178 

18,624,953 

8:39,:309 

544,243 

2,120,518 

none. 

Sept 

30 


89 

2,153,300 

8 : 34,154 

824,763 

640,912 

49,:388 

10.5,000 

bC 


649 

11,353,300 

3,699,000 

5,156,:326 

3,148,:320 

.308,656 

1,145,483 

Dec. 

31, 

4 

767 

18,649,910 

5,278,750 

7,554,-575 

4,717,709 

:324,:3.52 

1,761,675 

April 30, 

72 

1460 

36,477,084 

25,008,500 

12,7.36,607 

8 , 178 , 2:37 

2,3:35,261 

2,020,668 

Mav 

31, 

73 

660 

24,999,500 

8,970,000 

6,657,050 

3,517,783 

746,670 

1,519,944 

Mcii. 

31, 

73 

60 

3,500,000 

2 , 0 : 32,000 

1,204,865 

709,493 

144,990 

280,000 




215 

4,729,037 

3,261,3:30 

850,755 

525,511 

150,727 

25,742 

June 

:30, 

’72 

471 

14,991,275 

3,005,000 

4,573,171 

3,193,645 

199 , 6:31 

1,012,:313 

Dec. 

31, 

72 

228 

11,2:36,1.50 

3,834,344 

3,554,285 

1,572,772 

2.57,420 

786,626 

Nov. 

30. 

’72 

587 

13,:328.569 

2 : 3 , 555,174 

4,411,025 

3,628,213 

l,:3l:3,760 

none. 

Dec. 

31, 

’72 

146 

1,.500,(K)0 

None. 

1,040,115 

562,887 

49,664 

150,(XX) 

Mch. 

31, 

’73 

56 

1,850,000 

250,000 

7:3:3,:368 

517,887 

27,599 

170,000 

Sept 

.30, 

’72 

145 

2,124,-500 

1,:357,100 

812,768 

503,866 

100,494 

127,287 

June 

30, 

’72 

608 

20,000,000 

4 , 2 : 39,545 

4,746,678 

2,027,170 

.3(X),288 

1,955,205 

Dec. 

31, 

72 

108 

1.5,000,000 

i:3,088,:385 

10,607,291 

9,.364,758 

677,:320 

1,500,000 




189 

2,517,140 

7,156,.388 

1,381,603 

939,448 

:398,116 

none. 


iC 


270 

1,970,024 

4,191,900 

1,.378,:3.58 

929,148 

280,000 

.59,100 

June 

30, 

’73 

265 

4,262,600 

6,746,100 

1,973,62:3 

1,399,426 

3(X),050 

none. 

Sept. 

30, 

'72 

1032 

86,-5:36,910 

26,:395,000 

18,:371,888 

12,727,423 

2,989,445 

597.584 

kb 


94 

4,000,000 

None. 

1,350,289 

1,026,:354 

none. 

320,000 




232 

4,200,000 

676,.500 

1,62:3,4.56 

976,8:30 

h4,601 

.3:36,000 

Mch. 

.31, 

’73 

290 

2,800,000 

8,000,000 

949,781 

444.141 

. 5 : 37,950 

none. 

June 

:30, 

72 

1377 

16,977,803 

91,597,296 

8 , 9 : 35,970 

7 , 1 : 32,049 

1.282,907 

none. 

Dec. 

:31. 

72 

471 

23,4:33,967 

10,049,500 

5,732,867 

3,-529,747 

:37.5,:350 

1,409,1(56 

Jan. 

31. 

73 

275 

14,2.50,828 

9,146,900 

2,484,671 

1,814,141 

not stat. 

none. 

Aug. 

31, 

'72 

502 

600,000 

10,040,000 

2,675,2:34 

1 , 3 : 30,201 

not stat. 

not stat. 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

1108 

25.500,000 

19,2:38,500 

8,202,020 

4,846,8.54 

1,120.722 

2.537,760 


U 


420 

7,000,000 

8,500,000 

1,:359,691 

not stat. 

610,000 

none. 




159 

5,587,1.50 

8,088,000 

1,754,416 

1,162,230 

:346,766 

none. 




265 

820,000 

:3,:3:38,000 

2,110,681 

1,:380,442 

687.040 

none. 


a 


673 

9,6:38,950 

27,108,.350 

3 , 72 : 3 , 71:3 

2,229,2)6 

1,181,:396 

none. 


a 


1136 

50,000,000 

26,495,000 

17,591,629 

11 , 47 : 3 , 0:32 

2,0:39,803 

3,.519,446 


Ki 


239 

21,468,800 

9,754,000 

5,982,949 

3,869,687 

646,-502 

1.9(54,674 

Nov. 

:30, 

'72 

158 

3,000,000 

1,500.000 

865,192 

587,995 

108,865 

120,(XX) 

Sept. 

:30, 

72 

921 

8,980,-: 03 

12,244,000 

3,200.068 

1,986,875 

266,982 

628..5^^tl 

June 

30, 

’72 

357 

4,416,720 

6,:300,409 

1,928,808 

1,:328,982 

4 : 30,000 

7(5.962 

Dec. 

31, 

4 ^ 

284 

1:3,927,500 

9,:304,447 

2,029,165 

1,618,713 

410,452 

none. 




290 

5,312,725 

4,107,142 

1,404,116 

9.50,:392 

256,667 

none. 

June 

30, 

'72 

788 

18,7:38,204 

11 , 6 : 35,000 

5,876,:312 

3,876,243 

511,747 

899,345 

May 

31, 

'73 

1612 

26,225,144 

27,465,-500 

6,9.57,771 

4,695,616 

not stat. 

none. 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

347 

3,935.. 5:35 

4,628,980 

1,425,984 

847,128 

not stat. 

not stat. 


ii 


715 

16,94.5,000 

16,.596,0(K1 

2,317,-568 

1,:376,908 

not stat. 

none 

Mch. 

30, 

’73 

518 

4,466,476 

10,8:39,144 

2,952,-508 

1,9:30,219 

848,801 

none. 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

341 

6,486,049 

4,672,590 

2,812,165 

1 , 742 , 9:37 

not stat. 

none. 

June 

31, 

'73 

206 

4,704,846 

4,.500,CXX1 

1,7.54,489 

903,644 

:360,000 

none. 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

135 

9,000,000 

4,864,024 

2,856,-52.5 

1,719,:389 

:39:3.0:3:3 

729 , 2:31 

Sept. 

30, 

72 

851 

89,428,:300 

16,496,020 

25,-580,676 

16.446,4:36 

1,162.:368 

7,244,8:32 

a 


191 

15.500,000 

1,12(),.500 

4,701,2:36 

2,854,2(54 

83,169 

1,5.50,000 

Sept. 

30, 

'73 

68 

:3,47:3,.500 

4,042,500 

1,:3:36,9:38 

744,617 

295.819 

none. 

Oct. 

31, 

'72 

317 

5,842,000 

11,040,()02 

4,598,820 

3 , 4 : 37 , 0.51 

6(54.181 

:34:3,:305 

Dec. 

31, 

•72 

393 

24 , 0 : 30,000 

10,.5.59,090 

3,754,422 

2,6i:3.:3i:3 

715.646 

281,701 

June 

:30, 

'73 

245 

5,100,020 

2,941,(K)0 

1,897,4:38 

1.267,189 

not stat. 

:328,846 

Sept. 

:30, 

'72. 

699 

53,271,9:38 

:35,072,:309 

22,01.5,.52.5 

13,764,673 

not stat. 

4,711,497 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

.503 

34,2:36,17.5 

28 , 2 : 36 , 4:30 

12,125,0:38 

7,:301,7:3S 

1,777,:346 

:3,.59:3,:391 

Nov. 

30, 


198 

11,48.5,7.50 

1,990.500 

2,899,909 

1,691,673 

94,445 

9:30,218 

Oct. 

31, 

72 

501 

22,214,286 

1 : 3,621 ,(X10 

9,780,310 

5,272,846 

1,08:3,8(X) 

1,.506,(X)0 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

48 

2,00t),(X)0 

500,(XX) 

895,897 

6.55,971 

:37,798 

200,000 

Sept. 

:30, 

'72 

181 

6,0(X).000 

1,925,000 

1,748,915 

1,144,692 

21.5,284 

420,000 



317 

6,490,-579 

9,(X)0,000 

.1,067,749 

824,214 

none. 

none. 

June 

30, 

’72 

244 

2,998.9(X) 

1,7:35,606 

’1,1.50,764 

868,6.58 

108,(597 

209,923 

Sept. 

30, 

'72 

211 

10,000,(XX) 

5,461,(XX) 

2,146.0:39 

1,458,4(X) 

382,270 

300,0(K) 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

582 

24,000,000 

(),(X10,(XX) 

2,780,820 

2,0:32,681 

824,0(57 

240,(X)0 

Jan. 

31, 

'73 

242 

5.819.275 

4,720,346 

1,401,211 

856,106 

417,825 

none. 

Dec. 

31, 

'72 

956 

17,000,(X)0 

17,68:3.(XX) 

6,008,978 

4,:380,796 

1,2.56,982 

68,250 




1032 

.36,762,:300 

(33,998,812 

8,892,606 

4.800,-573 

3,403,660 

none. 




456 

19 , 0 : 30 , 400 ' 

16,660,705 

8,266,227 

6,005,167 

not stat. 

1,903,(HO 





































































CHAPTER XYI. 


WAR DEPARTMENT. 

Men, unfortunately,- have never been able to so arrange 
their mutual relations as to dispense with violent and deadly 
contests. Although they are less frequent and shorter now 
than formerly, they are more costly and more destructive, and 
every nation is still, as formerly, obliged to anticipate the pos¬ 
sibility of war and to make provision for its sudden occurrence, 
that it may not be borne down and overwhelmed by tlie first 
shock. It is an event so probable, even, and especially if the 
country should be in a defenseless state, that it has become a 
maxim of prudence with statesmen to avoid war by being pre¬ 
pared for it. The nation that can best repel an attack is least 
likely to be attacked. 

Most goverments, like our own, had their birth and early 
history in the confusion and devastation of that great destroyer 
of life and property; and it is natural that the first leisure of 
peace should be occupied in preparing themselves, in the most 
eflPective manner possible, for both defensive and offensive ope¬ 
rations in case of its return. 

The Constitution contemplates the existence of an army and 
navy for warlike purposes, and makes the President Command¬ 
er-in-chief of both. The first Congress assembled under the 
Constitution hastened, in its first session, to provide him an 
army and navy to command by organizing tlie Department of 
War. At its head was placed the Secretary of War, and so 
necessary was it deemed to the dignity and security of the 
nation that he was made one of the principal officers of the 
government, having a seat in the cabinet and being regarded 
as - one of the advisers of the Chief Magistrate. lie is 
appointed by the President with the consent of the Sen¬ 
ate. A Chief Clerk, to be appointed by the Secretary, was 

(199) 


200 


WAE DEPARTMENT. 


provided for by the act of 1789 creating the Department, who 
was the second authority in it, and acted as Secretary, in case of 
a vacancy; but when the Civil War raised this Department to 
great prominence, in 1861, a law was passed authorizing the 
appointment of an Assistant Secretary, and, in 1863, two addi¬ 
tional Assistant Secretaries were provided for by law; all to be 
appointed by the President. This last measure was temporary 
only, designed to expire when returning peace should reduce the 
Department to its ordinary condition. 

At first the aftairs of the national navy were managed by the 
Secretary of War. This was changed, as we shall see, when our 
commerce and foreign relations became more important. 

The Secretary of War ranks next to the President in military 
authority and dignity, and has the whole oversight, under him, 
of the army and its affairs. He makes out military commis¬ 
sions to be signed by the President, has the care of providing 
for the support, clothing, pay, and equipment of the army, and 
of all military stores required to keep the army in efficient 
drill, and in readiness against a possible war. He has the care 
of all books, records, and papers relating to the army and to 
military affairs. The names, grades, time of enlistment, term 
of service, and time of mustering out of all officers and pri¬ 
vates in the army, whether in the regular or volunteer service, 
are to be found in his office. All military accounts are kept 
and adjusted under his supervision. These cares and duties 
have become so numerous and important as to require a careful 
organization of the Department into sub-departments, or 
bui’eaus, as the Commissary’s, the Quartermaster’s, and the 
Ordnance bureaus. The general management of the whole 
depending on the Secretary of War, he evidently requires to 
be a man of judgment, thoroughly versed in military affairs, 
and of eminent organizing ability. 

A Solicitor, to have charge of the legal business of this 
Department, was provided for by law in 1863, to be appointed 
by the President and the Senate. 


WAR DEPARTMENT. 


201 


SECRETARIES OF WAR. 

Henry Knox, Mass., Sept. 12, 1789. 
Timothy Pickering, Pa., Jan. 2, 1795. 
James McHenry, Md., Jan. 27, 1796. 
James Marshall, Ya., May 7, 1800. 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., May 13,1800. 

Roger Griswold, Ct., Feb. 3, 1801. 

Henry Dearborn, Mass., March 5, 1801. 
William Eustis, Mass., March 7, 1809. 
John Armstrong, H. Y., Jan. 13, 1813. 
James Monroe, Ya., Sept. 27, 1814. 
William H. Crawford, Ga., March 2, 1815. 
Isaac Shelby, Ky., March 5, 1817. 

G. Graham, Ya., April 7, 1817. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., Oct. 8, 1817. 
James Barbour, Ya., March 7, 1825. 

Peter B. Porter, H. Y., May 26, 1828. 

J. H. Eaton, Tenn., March 9, 1829. 

Lewis Cass, Mich., Aug. 1, 1831. 

Benjamin F. Butler, N. Y., March 3, 1837. 
Joel R. Poinsett, S. C., March 7, 1837. 

John Bell, Tenn., March 5, 1841. 

John McLean, O., Sept. 13, 1841. 

John C. Spencer, H. Y., Oct. 12, 1841. 
James M. Porter, Pa., March 8, 1843. 
William Wilkins, Pa., Feb. 15, 1844. 
William L. Marcy, H. Y., March 5, 1845. 
George W. Crawford, Ga., March 6, 1849. 
Charles M. Conrad, La., Aug. 8, 1850. 
Jefferson Davis, Miss., March 5, 1853. 

John B. Floyd, Ya., March 6, 1857. 

Joseph Holt, Ky., Dec. 30, 1860. 

Simon Cameron, Pa., March 5, 1861. 
Edwin M. Stanton, Pa., elan. 13, 1862. 
Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., 1868. 


202 


THE UNITED STATES ARMY. 


J. M. Schofield, 1868. 

John A. Rawlins, Ill., Mch. 6, ’69. Died Sept. 6, ’69. 
Win. T. Sherman, Sept. 9, 1869. 

Win. W. Belknap, Oct. 25, 1869. 

“ “ reappointed March 17, 1873. 


CHAPTER XYII. 

THE UNITED STATES ARMY. 

1. The military successes of the United States would seem 
to prove undeniably, that, if the nation had adopted a career 
of co-nquest as did Ancient Rome, it might have played an 
important part in the history of warlike peoples. The undis¬ 
ciplined militia shut up a strong army in Boston in 1774, and, 
had not their powder failed, would very likely have forced the 
British to evacuate that place immediately after the battle of 
Bunker Hill. 

2. Washington’s army, made up in large part of militia, 
seemed always on the point of dissolution, and yet the British, 
after spending more than a hundred millions in fitting out 
armies against them, and possessing the important superiority 
of free movement on the sea, for the transportation of forces 
easily and rapidly to any desired point, never could gain a per¬ 
manent foothold, though opposed only by a ragged, famished, 
and half disorganized army. 

3. The war of 1812 — the Mexican War — and the Civil 
War, all bear testimony to the excellence of the material for 
military operations to be found among us. Yet we are a peace 
loving people. The government has never had more than the 
skeleton of an army in times of peace. While the Great 
Powers of Europe keep up armies of half a million of men, 
our army, very soon after the late gigantic war, was reduced 



THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 


203 


to less than 30,000 men; barely enough to keep the Indians in 
order, garrison the frontiers slightly, and furnish a nucleus of 
soldiers and trained officers in case of a war. By a law of 
of Congress, it was enacted that every sound and healthy man, 
witli a few exceptions in special cases, between the ages of 18 
and 45, should be enrolled and equipped for military duty. 
Then, by the laws of the States, they are required on certain 
days in each year to meet in companies, regiments or brigades, 
for drill and practice in military exercises. 

4. By these means military organizations are kept up in every 
part of the country, together with some knowledge of the mil¬ 
itary art. These, in time of war or domestic insurrection, may 
be called out with but a few days’ notice; and a large army of 
citizen soldiers can be raised in a very short time. With such 
facilities for raising men, it is unnecessary to keep a standing 
army of much magnitude. A few thousand men to guard our 
fortifications and military posts are sufficient. 

The late civil war between the South and the North gave 
ample evidence of this; for when it became necessary to raise 
a million of men, it was done in a short time, and after a little 
practice they became good soldiers. 


CHAPTEK XVIII. 

THE MILITAKY ACADEMY. 

1. The success of military affairs in time of war depends, 
in great measure, on a thorough knowledge of the science of 
war, and especially of engineering, so often requiring to be 
applied with haste and accuracy to the C( 9 ^struction or ^Z^struc- 
tion of military defenses. It requires a complete knowledge 
of certain branches of mathematics, and an understanding of 
their application to warlike purposes. Various other special 



204 


THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 


studies are required to prepare men for prompt and able action 
in military operations. For the purpose of keeping a corps of 
officers, well fitted to meet these requirements, ready for possi¬ 
ble occasions 

« 

A MILITARY ACADEMY 

was established. It is located on the west bank of the Hud¬ 
son river, at West Point, in the State of Hew York, and about 50 
miles from the city of Hew York, and is one of the government 
institutions. It had its origin in an act of Congress passed as 
early as 1802. Under this act this far-famed military school 
was commenced, but on a scale, in every respect, very much 
inferior to what it has since become. 

2. Its name explains its character and objects. It was 
established and has been continued at a great expense, for the 
purpose of teaching and training up young men in the science 
and art of war, that in any emergency the country might have 
a sufficient number of men, educated and skilled in all such 
arts and sciences as appertain to war. Hence, mathematics, 
engineering, gunnery, drawing, natural and experimental phi¬ 
losophy and military tactics, are among the principal branches 
taught. In all of these, able professors give instruction to the 
cadets, as the pupils are called. Chemistry, geology, and the 
French language are also taught at this institution. The 
instruction is thorough, the discipline excellent, and some of 
the graduates of this celebrated school rank high among the 
scientific men of tlie country. 

3. Congress controls and regulates this establishment, as it 
does all other departments, institutions, and works belonging 
to the government. It enacts all laws relating to its officers, 
professors, and cadets, and to the management of the insti¬ 
tution. 

4. By a law passed in 1843, the number of cadets to be 
admitted was made to correspond with the number of Sena¬ 
tors and Representatives from each State. Every State and 
Territory is entitled to send as many cadets as it has Senators 


THE MILITARY ACADEMY! 


205 


and Representatives in Congress. This gives each Territory, 
however, but one; as a Territory has no Senators, and but one 
Representative. By the same law the District of Columbia is 
allowed one. To give every part of the country an equal 
chance, it was enacted that each Congressional district in each 
State and Territory should be allowed to send one cadet, to be 
educated at West Point. These are generally nominated for 
appointment by the Congressmen from their respective dis¬ 
tricts, and the President appoints. The cadet must be an 
actual resident of the district for which he is appointed. 

5. In addition to these, it is provided by the same act, that 
ten more cadets may be appointed at large; i. without 
regard to Congressional districts. In order to be admitted as 
a cadet, the candidate must be well versed in reading, writing, 
and arithmetic; must not be under 14 nor over 21 years of 
age; and must sign articles, agreeing to serve the United States 
eight years. After he has finished his studies and has gradua¬ 
ted, he is considered as a candidate for a commission in the 
army, according to the duties he may be competent to perform. 

6. The Military Academy may be considered a branch of 
the War Department. Men who have been educated there 
have rendered the country signal service in times of war, have 
made able commanders, and have proved themselves thoroughly 
skilled in military science. Hot only in the military service 
has it been a benefit to the country, but in the civil walks of 
life. Many of its graduates have distinguished themselves as 
engineers, astronomers, and in other scientific professions and 
useful employments. 

7. There is an annual examination of the cadets, and of the 
general affairs of the institution, by a committee appointed by 
the President, for that purpose. 

It is composed of Congressmen and military officers. It is 
the duty of these examiners to attend the examination, inspect 
its discipline, and course of instruction, look after its fiscal 
afi[airs, and all other matters relating to the Academy, and report 
the same to the Secretary of War, for the use of Congress. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


DEPOTS OF WAR MATERIAL. 

We have seen that the government can be sure of the sup¬ 
port of the citizens in time of war and that they furnish the 
best kind of material of that description for military purposes. 
An army of great effectiveness can be organized in a compara¬ 
tively short time, when important interests of the country are 
at stake. Xot so, however, with the arms they require to use 
for offensive purposes. These require time and skilled work¬ 
men to construct them. They are therefore kept in readiness 
for use in Depots constructed for the purpose. 

As early as 1794, Congress enacted that three or four arse¬ 
nals and magazines, with an armory attached to each, should 
be established for the safe keeping of military stores. An arse¬ 
nal is a place where arms and military stores are kept. An 
armory is a place where arms are made or repaired. The 
armories where arms are manufactured are at Springfield, in 
Massachusetts, and at Harpers’ Ferry, in Virginia. But 
there are many others where they are repaired. 

In 1808, the President was authorized to purchase sites and 
to erect as many more arsenals and manufactories of arms as 
he might deem expedient. Each of these establishments was 
formerly under the direction of a superintendent; but they are 
now placed under the direction of the Ordnance Department. 
The office of superintendent of the armories at Springfield and 
Harpers’ Ferry, was also abolished in 1842; and its duties 
have since been performed by such officers of the ordnance 
corps as were designated by the President. In each armory 
there is employed a master armorer, who superintends the work¬ 
men. In addition to those already named there are arsenals and 
armories at Pittsburgh and Bridesburg, in Pennsylvania; at 
Washington City; at Watervliet, in Hew York; Watertown, 

( 206 ) 


ARTICLES OF WAR. 


207 


Mass.; at Columbus, Ohio; at Indianapolis, in Indiana; and at 
Eock Island, in Illinois. They are parts of the military estab¬ 
lishment of the country, and belong to the War Department. 


CHAPTEE XX. 

AETICLES OF WAR 

1. An army is designed, in idea, to supply a powerful 
instrument of offense and defense, that shall so thoroughly 
organize and fuse together a large number of individuals that 
the whole shall act as one, and be perfectly under the control 
of the directing mind. An army fully realizing this idea, 
would suppress, in its military acts, all thoughts and sentiments 
of its individuals, and be used by its commanding general as he 
would use his own hand, arm and foot. It should move at 
his will, strike where, as long and as heavily as he saw best, 
and be to him a perfect machine as to obedience. 

2. This idea is seldom more than partially realized; but it 
is the aim of all military drill, discipline, and law. The Arti¬ 
cles of War are the body of laws enacted by Congress defining 
the relations of soldiers to their officers, so as to secure as fully as 
possible among a free people this thorough subordination, defin¬ 
ing the conduct of the soldier toward his superior, prescribing 
the duty of the officer, and securing as far as possible in con¬ 
nection with such subordination the rights of the soldier. 

3. They contain general directions concerning the organi¬ 
zation, enlistment, and discharge of men, rules for leaves of 
absence, punishment for absence without leave, or for desertion, 
and other penalties for conduct improper or criminal in a sol¬ 
dier. Many of these rules are very strict and the penalties 
severe, since a neglect to obey might endanger the safety of an 
army or the country, or interfere with the most important 
operations. War is a very exacting pursuit. 




208 


MILITARY HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS. 


4. It is relaxing also in some directions and rules are made 
requiring, and often without effect, obedience to some of the 
most common principles and practices of morality. It often 
becomes quite impossible to enforce these amid the fierce excite¬ 
ment and wild disorder of active warfare. 

5. Offenses committed in the army are not tried before a 
civil tribunal, but by a military court called a “ Court Martial,” 
for the guidance of which a special code of rules is prepared. 
These are characterized by the brevit}', decisiveness, and sum¬ 
mary action that is so important to the effectiveness of all mil¬ 
itary affairs. Tlie decisions of a court martial may impose all 
punishments even to condemning a man to death; but they 
are subject to modification, or commutation, or even may be 
wholly set aside by the President of the United States, who is 
Commander-in-Chief of the Army. 

The Articles of War relate to all things important to the 
welfare, effectiveness, and safety of an army, and aim to pro¬ 
vide for the comfort and protect the rights of the individual 
as well as circumstances permit. They consist of one hundred 
and one articles. The first one requires every officer in the 
army to subscribe to them before he enters on his duties. 


CHAPTEE XXI. 

MILITAKY HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS. 

1. It is plainly a dictate of humanity that a government 
should provide for the comfort and skillful treatment of those 
persons who are wounded in its service, or who become diseased 
under the hardships of a military life and are disabled from 
active duty. Our century is specially distinguished by the 
benevolent care bestowed on the indigent and the suffering, in 
all civilized countries, and we have reason to expect that the 



INSANE ASYLUM. 


209 


United States would take a leading place in this care for her 
own citizens. 

2. This has been done, and all the thoughtful attention 
that the case called for has been given to hospitals and 
asylums for the disabled and suffering, both of the Army 
and Navy, equally in peace and war. 

3. In 1851, Congress passed an act for the establishment of 
military asylums, for the purpose of making the same pro¬ 
vision for wounded and disabled soldiers as had already been 
made for tliat class of seamen. These institutions are located 
in different sections of the country where deemed most eligible 
and convenient for those who need such a place of refuge. 
They are placed under the government of a board of commis¬ 
sioners, consisting of the general in chief, and eight other 
military officers of high rank, who submit their acts to the 
Secretary of War for his approval. 

4. The officers of these asylums must be taken from the 
army, and consist of a governor, a deputy governor, and secre¬ 
tary, who is also treasurer. The funds for their support are 
raised by a tax of twenty-five cents per month on the soldiers, 
to which are added the fines and penalties adjudged against 
soldiers by courts martial, with forfeitures for desertion, &c. 

Persons receiving pensions from the government may be 
admitted into these asylums upon condition that they surren¬ 
der their pensions to the use of the institution while they 
remain in it. 

The commissioners are authorized to buy sites and buildings 
for these institutions, and to receive donations of them. They 
also furnish them with whatever is necessary for the comfort 
of the inmates, and make such laws and regulations for their 
government as they deem proper. 

Deserters, mutineers, and habitual drunkards, are excluded 
from the benefits of these asylums. 

INSANE ASYLUM. 

5. Among these benevolent institutions provided by a gen¬ 
erous government for the support of those who have faithfully 

14 


210 


NAVY DEPARTMENT. 


served their country, the insane asylum ought to be. noticed. 
The title of this establishment is “ the government hospital for 
the insane.” Its objects are the cure and kind treatment of 
the insane of the army and navy, and of the District of Colum¬ 
bia. It is under the control of a board of nine visitors, all of 
whom must be citizens of the said District. They are appointed 
by the President, and annually report to the Secretary of the 
Interior the condition of the asylum and its inmates. They 
serve without compensation. 

6. The superintendent must be a physician. There is a 
farm attached to the asylum, which is under the direction of 
the superintendent, who receives patients upon the order of the 
Secretary of the War, or the Havy, and upon the order of the 
Secretary of the Interior. He may receive indigent insane 
persons residing in the District of Columbia. If other than 
indigent persons are admitted, they must pay for the privilege 
a sum not less than the cost of their support. 

7. The military hospitals in time of war are for temporary 
purposes, and are established wherever the army happens to be, 
and especially near where the great battles have been fought, 
tliat immediate j-elief may be given to the sick and wounded. 
These are established by the commanders of the army, and are 
under their control. And here let it be recorded to their praise, 
that since military hospitals were known, never have any been 
seen which for order, cleanliness and efficiency in administering 
to the comfort and care of the sick and wounded soldiers, sur¬ 
passed those of the United States during the late civil war. 


CHAPTEE XXII. 

ISTAYY DEPAETMEXT. 

The position of the United States naturally gives it great 
prominence as a naval powder. Situated between the two great 



NAVY DEPARTMENT. 


211 


oceans, with thousands of miles of coast on each, and a pro¬ 
fusion of good harbors, bays, and great rivers, accessible to 
large ocean vessels for long distances into the interior; with a 
soil of great fertility, and numerous and inexhaustible sources 
of mineral wealth, besides all the conditions favorable to the 
establishment and success of manufactures—it requires large 
foreign markets for its various products, and an extensive com¬ 
merce is essential to its development. It should be, and per¬ 
haps it is, the strongest naval power in the world. 

The War of Independence was much increased in length and 
difficulty by the want of a navy, the maritime resources of 
England giving her a great superiority in striking suddenly, 
and in force, at distant points. 

It was natural, then, that so important an arm, for both 
attack and defense, should be prepared to act with energy, and 
this was one of the first cares of the new government; and so 
efficient did this branch of national strength become in the 
thirty years of peace, to the war of 1812 with England, that 
the easiest and some of the most important successes of the 
Americans, in that confiict, were on the sea. 

The care of Naval affairs was, at first, committed to the Sec¬ 
retary of War. In 1798 it was erected into a separate Depart¬ 
ment, and a Secretary placed at its head. He was entitled to 
a seat in the Cabinet, as one of the advisers of the President, 
and received his appointment by nomination of the President 
and concurrence of the Senate, in the same manner as the 
Heads of other Departments. 

As the President is the highest officer, in command, in the 
Navy, he ranks as second, and acts under his direction. It is 
his duty to procure naval stores and materials, and to oversee 
the places where they are deposited; to attend to the construc¬ 
tion, equipment, armament, and employment of vessels of war, 
to make out the commissions of naval officers; to see that 
efficiency and discipline are maintained in the service; and to 
assume the control of the movements of the vessels of war 
that are kept cruising in every sea for the protection of our 


212 


NAVY DEPARTMENT. 


coiiiiiierce and citizens in foreign parts, and the preservation 
of the international rights and dignity of the United States. 

3. A chief clerk was formerly the second officer in rank in 
the Department, but, in 1861, provision was made, by Con¬ 
gress, for an Assistant Secretary, who should act as Secretary 
in the absence of that officer. 

Formerly there were five bureaus in this department, but in 
1862, three more were added, making eight, as follows: 

1. A Bureau of Yards and Docks. 

2. A Bureau of Eq uipment and Becruiting. 

3. A Bureau of l^avigation. 

4. A Bureau of Ordnance. 

5. A Bureau of Construction and Kepairs. 

6. A Bureau of Steam Engineering. 

7. A Bureau of Provisions and Clothing. 

8. A Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. 

The President and Senate appoint all the heads of these 
bureaus, and select them principally from officers of high rank 
in the navy. They are all appointed for four years. 

The Secretary appoints all the numerous clerks employed in 
the various bureaus and assigns their duties. 

He must annually report to Congress the condition of his 
department, the manner and amount of all expenditures, fur¬ 
nish estimates for the expenses of the following year, and give 
such advice in regard to the naval interests of the country as 
his intimate knowledge of that branch of the service may sug¬ 
gest. He requires an intimate knowledge of maritime affairs^ 
and of International law, and a high and enlightened apprecia¬ 
tion of the policy to be pursued in our official and commercial 
intercourse with all foreign nations. 

The following list embraces the names of all the Secretaries 
of the Havy, from George Cabot, the first, to George M. Bobe- 
son, the present incumbent: 

George Cabot, Mass., May 3, 1798. 

Benjamin Stoddert, Mass., May 21, 1798. 

Bobert Smith, Md., July 15, 1801. 


NAVY DEPARTMENT. 


213 


J. Crowninshield, Mass., May 3, 1805. 

Paul Hamilton, S. C., March 7, 1809. 

William Jones, Pa., Jan. 12, 1813. 

B. W. Crowninshield, Mass., Dec. 17, 1814. 
Smith Thompson, H. Y., Hov. 9, 1818. 

John Kogers, Mass., Sept. 1, 1823. 

S. L. Southard, H. J., Sept. 16, 1823. 

John Branch, IST. C., March 9, 1829. 

Levi Woodbury, H. H., May 23, 1831. 

Mahlon Dickerson, H. J., June 30, 1834. 

J. K. Paulding, H. Y., June 20, 1830. 

G. E. Badger, H. C., March 5,1841. 

Abel P. Upshur, Ya., Sept. 13, 1841. 

David Henshaw, Mass., July 24, 1843. 

T. W. Gilmer, Ya., Feb. 12,1844. 

John Y. Mason, Ya., March 14, 1844. 

George Bancroft, Mass., March 10, 1845. 

John Y, Mason, Ya., Sept. 9, 1846. 

William B. Preston, Ya., March 7, 1849. 

William A. Graham, H. C., July 20, 1850. 

J. P. Kennedy, Md., July 22, 1850. 

J. 0. Dobbin, H. 0., March 5, 1853. 

Isaac Toucey, Ct., March 6, 1857. 

Gideon Welles, Ct., March 5, 1861. 

Adolph E. Borie, Pa., March 5, 1869. 

George M. Bobeson, K. J., June 25, 1869. 

« ‘‘ reappointed March 17, 1873. 


CHAPTEE XXIII. 

THE EXITED STATES XAYY. 

1. The original thirteen States were all on the Atlantic 
coast, and had each one or more sea ports. They were natur¬ 
ally given to commerce, and the second Continental Congress, 
in December, 1775, resolved to form a navy of thirteen vessels 
of war. Eight were soon fitted out; but the superiority of 
England on the sea, and the great financial difficulties with 
which Congress had to struggle during, and for some years 
after, the Eevolutionary War, made it impossible to give any 
great degree of development to naval affairs. The sea swarmed 
with American privateers during the war, and many hundreds 
of English merchant vessels were captured; but Congress never 
was able to collect a formidable fleet. The daring exploits of 
Paul Jones, in European waters, and the bold and suc¬ 
cessful raids of Privateersmen under Letters of Marque and 
Eeprisal gave indication of what might be looked for in the 
future, but they could not cope with British fleets. 

2. The Xavy Department was for some time under the con¬ 
trol of the Secretary of War; but, as the finances began to 
improve, care was taken to develop this important branch of 
national power, and a special Secretary appointed. In the war 
of 1812 with England 25 years of peace had unfitted the people 
for great immediate success in the army; but the navy was 
the pride and glory of the nation. The disasters attending mili¬ 
tary operations for the first year or two were more than com¬ 
pensated by the brilliant and solid advantages gained by our 
men of war. 


( 214 ) 


THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 


215 


3. This gave a great impulse to the naval tendencies of the 
nation, and it soon became the settled determination of the 
people to supersede England as the strongest naval power. She 
had been Mistress of the Seas ; there were strong reasons for 
our ambition to become Masters^ at least in American waters. 
We had an extensive line of coast, and our “Monroe Doctrine,” 
that Americans ought to rule America, and that European 
governments should never be permitted to acquire a preponde¬ 
rating influence in North America, rendered a strong navy 
important. Our people, however, are so largely commercial 
that skillful mariners are always at command; and the govern¬ 
ment has never maintained, in time of peace, a very large naval 
force. 

4. What they can do in time of need was demonstrated 
during the Civil War, when the navy was increased in two 
years by more than 400 vessels—many of them very expensive 
and powerful; proving in actual conflict the inability of the 
strongest land fortresses to resist them. The thousands of 
miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coast blockade, that was ren¬ 
dered so effective as to smother the Confederate government, 
so to speak, destroying its finances by rendering its cotton 
unavailable, is the best comment on the naval resources of the 
United States. The extreme boldness and vigor with which 
the Confederate cruisers that managed to escape the blockade 
fell on our merchant vessels, and laid waste our commerce, is 
another point in the argument; for they were Americans, and 
demonstrated the natural prowess of Americans on the sea, 
of which we could well be proud but that it did fatal harm to 
our mercantile marine. 

5. Not half of the vessels belonging to the navy are, how¬ 
ever, now (in time of peace) in commission—that is, in active 
service. The rest are either laid up, or in process of repair. 
Most of those in commission are employed in what is called 
squadron service. The Secretary of the Navy in a late report 
enumerates seven of these squadrons ; viz.; the European, the 
Asiastic, the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, the North 


216 


THE UNITED STATES NA\Tf. 


Pacilic, the South Pacific, and the Gulf squadrons. The names 
given to these squadrons indicate their whereabouts, and their 
cruising grounds. These squadrons consist of six, eight, ten, 
twelve or fifteen vessels, as the work to be done may require. 
It is their duty to visit the seaports of the various countries 
along the coasts of which they cruise, in order to protect our 
merchantmen against pirates or enemies of any description, 
which may molest them or interfere with their rights and priv¬ 
ileges; and also to look after the interests and dignity of the 
United States. 

6. The squadrons are under command of a high naval ofii- 
cer of the rank of commodore or rear admiral, whose ship is 
called the flag ship of the squadron. Many of our naval offi¬ 
cers have distinguished themselves for bravery, skill, and patri¬ 
otic devotion to their country, and have occupied the highest 
positions of honor, and the most exalted places in the esteem 
and affection of their countrymen. 

In 1862, Congress enacted that there should be nine grades 
of officers in the navy, and that their corresponding rank with 
military officers should be as follows : 

1. Rear-Admiral.with.Major-General. 

2. Commodores. .Brigadier-Generals. 

3. Captains. “ .Colonels. 

4. Commanders. “ Lieutenant-Colonels. 

5. Lieut.-Commanders.. . “ .Majors. 

6. Lieutenants. “ .Captains. 

7. Masters. “ .First-Lieutenants. 

8. Ensigns. “ .Second Lieutenants. 

Midshipmen have no corresponding rank in the army. 

















CHAPTEE XXIY. 
XAYY YAEDS. 


1. We have seen that the Secretary of the Xavy has several 
different Bureaus, having each its separate part of naval inter¬ 
ests and stores to care for. The material for the equipment of 
the army is, in large part, stored in arsenals and armories; in the 
navy in or near Xavy Yards. Here are gathered such stores 
and materials as are required for the construction or repairs of 
vessels, and hundreds of skilled workmen, constantly employed 
in rendering the navy effective; replacing vessels that have 
become unseaworthy, repairing damages, or building such 
vessels of special construction as the varying demands of the 
service may require. 

2. These are established at different places along the coast, 
most convenient for the purpose. There is one at Philadelphia, 
Pa., at Brooklyn, X. Y^., at Portsmouth, Ya., at Pensacola, Fla. 
Here vessels are laid up when not in “ commission ” or active 
service, or are sent for repairs, or to obtain their stores before 
departing to their distant stations. All the officers necessary 
for keeping all these matters in order are stationed at these 
yards; and the Xavy Department, by these means, preserves 
the same perfect system of organization and efficiency as we 
have seen to characterize other branches of the executive 
administration. 


CHAPTEE XXY. 

THE XAYAL ACADEMY. 

1. Xaval affairs, quite as much as military, perhaps even 
more, require the aids of science, and a careful and thorough 

(217) 



218 


THE NAVAL ACADEMY. 


training. Much of this, indeed, is gained in active service, 
but for this a basis of scientific study must be laid, and this 
school of preliminary instruction is called the Naval Academy. 
As a preliminary even to this, the government has established 
schools on board of ships, for the instruction of boys in navi¬ 
gation and naval warfare. These are called apprentices ; and 
for good conduct and proficiency in their studies, they are 
advanced to the Naval Academy, and placed in the line of pro¬ 
motion. 

2. This school is now established at Annapolis, in the State 
of Maryland, near Washington. Like the Military Academy, 
it has its superintendent and professors. The pupils are called 
midshipmen. They are taught navigation and such other 
branches of science as are necessary to make them good sea¬ 
men and naval officers. They are selected upon nearly the 
same plan as cadets. Each Congressional District in every 
State and Territory is entitled to send two students to be 
educated at the Academy. The District of Columbia is also 
entitled to send two. Besides which, the President is allowed 
to appoint ten additional ones at large, and three more from 
the boys enlisted in the navy. 

3. After their graduating examination, if they pass, they 
are commissioned as ensigns in the navy, and rank according 
to merit. Before admission, they are examined according to 
the regulations made by the Secretary of the Navy, and must 
be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years, sound, 
robust, and of good constitution. 

4. The course of study in this, as well as in the Military 
Academy, is adapted to the profession which the students are 
expected to follow—the one in the navy, the other in the army. 
More are educated at these great national schools than the 
government needs in time of peace*. Many of the graduates are 
engaged in civil employment. Thus these institutions have 
been of great service to the country, outside of the army and 
navy, for they have added to the number of well-educated and 
scientific men, who may be useful in any of the walks of life. 


THE NAVAL OBSEKVATORY. 


219 


Their graduates elevate the standard of intelligence in the 
community, especially when they engage in the work of. in¬ 
struction. 

Both of these institutions are supported at the expense of the 
government. The tuition and board of cadets in one, and of 
the midshipmen in the other, costs them nothing. 


CHAPTEE XXYI. 

THE XAYAL OBSEEYATOEY. 

1. An observatory is a building erected for astronomical 
purposes, and supplied with the necessary apparatus for study¬ 
ing the heavens. A thorough knowledge of certain portions 
of astronomy is indispensable to the commander of a vessel, 
since it is by means of this alone that he can ascertain his 
exact position on the open ocean out of sight of land. Nauti¬ 
cal Science and Astronomy have advanced hand in hand; and 
to perfect the former as much as possible the United States 
Government established the Naval Observatory. This institu¬ 
tion is located in Washington, and was originated by act of 
Congress in 1842, and put in operation in 1844. 

2. This institution owes more to that enlightened and truly 
patriotic President, John Q. Adams, than to any other man. 
He recommended it as far back as 1823, and again in his first 
message to Congress. But political opposition to the man 
prevented his recommendations from being acted upon till 
nearly 20 years after they were made. This opposition was 
finally overcome, and we, and posterity after us, will reap the 
fruits of Mr. Adams’ suggestions and labors. 

3. The observatory was built and furnished with various 
astronomical and philosophical instruments, and a corps of 
professors were appointed to watch the movements of the 
heavenly bodies, and to make such observations and experi- 



220 


THE COAST SURVEY. 


ments as would enable them to determine many unsettled 
questions which relate to the science of navigation; and inci¬ 
dentally to another great government work, having especial 
reference to the same subject; that is, the coast survey. 

The coast survey has already been of great service to the 
interests of navigation—whether national or commercial ves¬ 
sels are regarded—and, when finished, much greater benefits 
are to be expected. When a sufficient number of observations 
and experiments shall have been made at the naval observa¬ 
tory, and published to the world, much valuable information 
will be added to what is already known. And indeed it would 
be disreptutable to a nation having so large a navy and such a 
vast number of merchant ships upon the ocean, to do nothing 
for or add notliing to the science of navigation. It would be 
an unwise policy if economy only were studied, and we would 
justly deserve the reproach of being penurious, short-sighted, 
and miserably wanting in disposition to promote the general 
good of the world. 

4. The professors are assiduous in their labors, and publish 
the results of their observations and the facts they have deter¬ 
mined. These are not only of use to our own seamen, but to 
those of all nations who are doing business on the great deep. 
Here the charts made by the coast survey are deposited, and 
from hence all our national vessels are furnished with them, 
and with all the nautical instruments they require. 

The charts, instruments and books relating to astronomy 
and navigation, found here, make it the headquarters and depot 
of nautical science in the United States. 


CHAPTER XXYII. 

THE COAST SLTEVEY. 

1. While the Xaval Observatory is a government institution 
for studying the heavens in the interest of the Xavy; the 



THE COAST SURVEY. 


221 


Coast Survey is an organization employed in a thorough and 
scientitic study of the shores of our country for a sufficient 
distance out from the land to ascertain all the features con¬ 
cealed by the water that may have a bearing on the safety of 
our navy and commerce. One examines the heavens, the other 
the depths of the waters. They are both of great importance. 

2. This government undertaking has not been as vigorously 
prosecuted as some other enterprises conducted by it. As 
early as 1807, Congress passed an act authorizing the President 
to have this work done. Much of it has been done, yet it is 
not finished at this day. Our acquisition of Florida, Texas, 
and California has greatly extended our sea coast since the 
work was commenced, and its accomplishment has cost more 
time and labor than was anticipated at the beginning, yet we 
think it ought to have been completed in much less than 60 
years. 

3. This work, like that relating to light houses, is under the 
management of a board, consisting of a superintendent, two 
principal assistants, two naval officers, and four officers of the 
army. These nine constitute the board. Then there are as 
many officers of the army and navy employed in the execution 
of the work as are deemed necessary. And the public vessels, 
by direction of the President, may be used in order to facilitate 
the work, for much of it must be done at sea. The survey 
extends 20 leagues from the shore. The surveyors must make 
accurate charts of the whole coast, in which are laid down all 
the islands, shoals, roads or anchorage grounds within twenty 
leagues of any part of the shore of the United States. The 
courses or distances between the principal capes or headlands 
must be laid down, together with the soundings (depths of 
water) and everything else necessary to make a complete and 
accurate chart of every part of our coasts. 

4. An annual report of this work must be made to Con¬ 
gress in December of each year, accompanied with charts, 
showing the progress of the work, the number of persons 
employed, the expenses incurred, the amount of work finished, 


222 


LIGHT HOUSES. 


and what is unfinished. These reports and charts are carefully 
preserved, and copies of them may be had at Washington for 
the use of our naval and merchant ships, to which they are of 
great service, as guides, whenever they are on or near the coast. 
This work, in its utility, is not confined to ourselves; but the 
important information obtained by it is of great use to the 
navigators of all nations who come into our ports or cruise on 
our coasts. They derive the same benefits from this work that 
we derive from theirs of the same kind. It is creditable to 
any nation to do such things as are beneficial to the world, 
such acts as contribute to the welfare of humanity. Shipwrecks 
belong to the list of terrible calamities which often befall those 
“ who go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great 
waters.” Whoever diminishes these is a public benefactor. 


CHAPTER XXYIII. 

LIGHT HOUSES. 

1. These, with Buoys, and Beacons, are a necessary practi¬ 
cal supplement to the labors of the Coast Survey. Buoys and 
Beacons indicate the shoals, or dangerous rocks and reefs 
beneath the surface of tlie water, in the daytime; while light 
houses indicate the same, and show the mariner the bearings 
of the land, in the night; and, by studying, in connection with 
these, the charts of the coast supplied by the Coast Survey, he 
may make his way as securely in the niglit or day through the 
concealed dangers of the treacherous waters as a landsman 
along a beaten highway. They are way-marks along the sea 
coast, at the entrance of harbors, and on lakes and rivers. 
They speak a language very well understood by the seaman; 
and are invaluable for the protection of his vessel from the 
dangers of the Deep. 



LIGHT HOUSES. 


223 


2. Keepers are appointed by the government to keep them 
in repair, and to see that they are properly lighted every night. 
We have no means of knowing the number of these useful 
establishments, but there must be several hundred of them; for 
we have more sea coast than any other nation upon the globe, 
with a still greater length of lake and river shore. They are 
located at prominent points, and at dangerous places, all along 
the extensive lines of coast and shores. 

3. To the end that light houses should be constructed and 
kept in repair, and that competent men might have the whole 
matter in charge, a law of 1852 authorized the President to 
appoint two officers of the navy of high rank, one officer of 
the corps of engineers of the army, one officer of the topo¬ 
graphical engineers, and two civilians of high scientific attain¬ 
ments, to form a light house boaed for the United States. 
This board is attached to the Treasury Department, and the 
Secretary of the Treasury superintends its operations. The 
board has in charge the building, illumination, and inspection 
of light houses, light vessels, buoys, beacons, sea marks, and 
their appendages. 

d. The Secretary of the Treasury is president of the board, 
and may convene them whenever he deems it necessary. 

Tlie law makes it the duty of the board to divide the whole 
of the sea, gulf, and lake coasts, into light house districts; not 
exceeding 12 in number. An officer of the army or navy is 
assigned to each district, as a light house inspector. 

They have the control of everything relating to light houses, 
light ships, buoys, beacons, or other means of directing vessels 
in and out of port, or of guiding them while sailing along the 
coast in the night. 

5. As foreign vessels receive the same benefits from our 
light houses as our own, there is nothing unfair or illiberal in 
requiring them to contribute something towards the expense 
of maintaining them. For this purpose Congress has imposed 
a tax, or laid a duty of 50 cents per ton on all foreign vessels 
entering any ports of the United States. This is called “light 


224 


LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL. 


MONEY.” It is collected in the same way as tonnage duties 
are, i. e., by the collector of the port where the ship arrives. 
Light money is not required of vessels owned by citizens ot 
the United States, provided that they are regularly registered 
as the law directs, or have a sea letter. 

7. A sea letter is a document or certificate, given by the 
collector of a port, to the captain of an American vessel, certi¬ 
fying that she belongs to a citizen or citizens of the United 
States. Armed with this, the captain can prove to all whom it 
may concern, anywhere in the world, the ownership and 
nationality of his vessel. This is a protection to her and her 
cargo, especially in times of war. It is one of a ship’s papers. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL. 

1. The somewhat barbarous custom has prevailed among 
nations, from early times, of making war in every possible way 
upon the citizens of a hostile country, and of taking or destroy¬ 
ing their property, on the principle that injury to the citizens 
of the power warred against would diminish its power of 
defense and attack. 

This has been carried into effect on the sea by authorizing 
private vessels to be fitted out for warlike purposes and preying 
on the commerce of the enemy. Such authority is given by 
Letters of Marque and Reprisal. The Constitution confers on 
Congress the power to do this ; and Congress authorizes the 
President to do it. A law was passed in 1863 expressly con¬ 
veying it to him. 

2. It is a formal commission given to the commander of a 
private armed vessel, called a privateer, authorizing him to 
capture the ships and goods of the subjects of a nation with 
which we are at war. When such letters are issued by the 



LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL. 


225 


United States they are signed by the President and sealed with 
the great seal. Without such commission, thus signed and 
sealed, any capture made by the commander of a private vessel 
would be piracy. If a capture is made, it must be made accord¬ 
ing to the laws of war, as recognized by civilized nations, and 
according to the instructions given by the President. Any 
conduct on the part of a privateer, contrary to these rules, 
w^ould vitiate his proceedings, and he would not be entitled to 
the property he had captured. 

3. The captured vessel is called a prize, and must be taken 
into some port of the United States, or into some port of a 
country in amity with the United States, where legal proceed¬ 
ings are taken before some court of competent jurisdiction ; 
and the capture and all the circumstances of it inquired into; 
and if all is found to have been done according to the law’s of 
civilized nations, the captured vessel and cargo is condemned 
as a prize. But if not condemned, the captors lose her. When 
adjudged to be a lawful prize, the ship and cargo are sold, and 
the money is divided between the officers and men, according to 
rank, and according to the laws of Congress on this subject. 
These laws give the whole to the captors, when the ship taken 
is of equal or superior force to the ship making the capture ; 
but if of inferior force, then the United States takes one-half. 

4. Privateering, as this business is called, was once consid¬ 
ered a lawful and honorable mode of warfare. It was generally 
practiced between belligerent nations ; but in later days its 
propriety and morality have been questioned. It is beginning 
to be looked upon as a kind of robbery not very distantly 
related to piracy. That it is robbery no one can deny, and, 
query, “ Can it be justified on the ground that the robber and 
the robbed are the subjects of nations at war with each other?’’ 

5. In Europe an effort has been made to do away with this 
species of warfare. We hope it will yet succeed, and that all 
nations will agree to abolish this system of plunder. Innocent 
parties are generally the sufferers, while but small injury is 
done to the power of the hostile nation. 

15 


CHAPTEE XXX. 


XAYY AND MAEIXE HOSPITALS. 

1. These institutions are still more important for sailors 
than for soldiers; as the sailor is more likely to have lost his 
adaptation to any kind of business on land, and to lose sight 
of family relations by reason of his long absences to foreign 
regions. The government very early took this subject in hand 
and made ample, and extremely comfortable, provision for dis¬ 
abled seamen belonging to its navy. 

2. In 1811 an act was passed to establish navy hospitals, for 
the exclusive use of such seamen as belonged to the navy. This 
new institution was at first placed under the management of a 
board of commissioners known as the commissioners of nav^^ 
hospitals. This commission consisted of the Secretaries of the 
Xavy, Treasury, and War. But in 1832 this was changed, and 
the Secretary of the Xavy was made sole trustee of the navy 
hospital fund, which was made up of $50,000 appropriated by 
Congress for that purpose, together with twenty cents per month 
collected from seamen belonging to the navy, and the fines 
imposed on navy officers, seamen, and marines. 

The commissioners were authorized to purchase or erect 
suitable buildings for navy hospitals. 

THE MARINE HOSPITALS. 

3. These are located near important seaports. At these 
places seamen depart for, and arrive from their voyages, and 
are found in the greatest numbers; and here the funds for the 
support of the marine hospitals are collected, as is the tonnage 
on ships, viz.: by the collectors of the ports. For this purpose 
the law authorizes the collectors of customs to demand and 
receive the sum of twenty cents per month from the wages of 
every sailor; and every master of a vessel is obliged to render 
to the collector an accurate account of the number of seamen 

( 226 ) 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


227 


on board his vessel, and of the time they have been employed 
by him, since his last entry into any port of the United States. 
These twenty cents the captain must pay the collector, but he 
is allowed to deduct it from eacti seaman’s wages. In this 
manner the funds for the building, furnishing, and support of 
the marine hospitals are raised. The collectors of the ports 
pay them into the United States Treasury, and the Treasurer 
disburses them to the directors of the hospitals as they are 
needed. The directors are appointed by the President. They 
appropriate the funds, and have the general direction and man¬ 
agement of the institutions. 

4. These provisions are contained in an act entitled, “ An 
act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen,” passed in 1798. 
Seamen, whether in the merchant service or in the naval service 
of the United States, were indiscriminately taxed for the sup¬ 
port of these hospitals; and both have the same rights, privi¬ 
leges and benefits in them. The money thus collected from 
seamen is called “ hospital money,” and the fund is denomi¬ 
nated “ the marine hospital fund.” In 1864 there were 24 
marine hospitals in the United States. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

1. At the first general census, in 1790, there were but lit¬ 
tle over three millions and a half of inhabitants in the United 
States, and these mostly settled along the Atlantic seaboard; 
the country was oppressed with debt, and not recovered from 
the effects of a desolating war. Its public business, therefore, 
was comparatively small in amount, and was readily managed 
by the three Departments, of State, of the Treasury, and of 
War. Tlie energy of the people, and the great resources at 
their command, enabled them to surmount all their difficulties 



228 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


in a short time, and the country entered on a career of remark¬ 
able prosperity. Its public business kept pace with the gen¬ 
eral expansion, and new departments were from time to time 
created, to improve the efficiency of the public service. 

2. In 1849 Congress passed a law creating the Department of 
the Interior, and a Secretary of the Interior, having a seat in 
the Cabinet, appointed in the same manner, and possessing the 
same rank, as the other members of the Cabinet, was installed 
in office. 

3. The bureau of the Commissioner of Patents was transferred 
from the Department of State, and the General Land Office 
from that of the Treasury. 

The supervisory power beofore exercised by the Secretary 
of the Treasury over the accounts of the marshals, clerks, 
and other officers of all the courts of the United States, 
was placed in the hands of the new Secretary. The office 
of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, heretofore attached to 
the War Department, was also transferred to this ; and the 
powers and duties of the Secretary (d‘ War, in relation to In¬ 
dian affairs, were devolved on the Secretary of the Interior. 

4. The Secretaries of War and of the Navy were by the 
same act relieved of their duties in regard to the Commissioner 
of Pensions, and those duties were thereafter to be performed 
by the Secretary of the new department. 

The Census Bureau, heretofore attached to the State Depart¬ 
ment, and the duties of the Secretary of State in relation 
thereto, were also transferred to this department. 

To the Secretary was also given the supervisory power over 
the lead and other mines belonging to the United States, here¬ 
tofore executed by the Secretary of the Treasury. 

The powers of the President over the Commissioners of 
Public Buildings were also transferred to him. 

5. He was also charged with the control over the Board of 
Inspectors and Warden of the Penitentiary of the District of 
Columbia. 

The Secretary of the Interior has the same power in appoint- 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


229 


ing and removing clerks and other subordinates in his depart¬ 
ment, that the Secretaries of the other departments had over 
these several bureaus before they were transferred to this 
department. 

This office has a seal, which must be affixed to the commis¬ 
sions of all its subordinate officers. 

The President and Senate appoint the Assistant Secretaries. 

From the foregoing it is easy to understand what branches 
of the public service are conducted in this office, and what are 
the duties of its Secretary. 

6. The following is a list of all who have filled the office 
of Secretary of the Interior since the establishment of the 
department: 

Thomas H. Ewing, Ohio, March 7, 1849. 

T. M. T. McKennan, Pa., 1850. 

Alexander H. H. Stuart, Ya., Sept. 12, 1850. 

Robert McClelland, Mich., March 5, 1853. 

Jacob Thompson, Miss., March 0, 1857. 

Caleb B. Smith, Ind., March 5, 1861- 

John P. Usher, Ind., Jan. 7, 1863. 

James Harlan, Iowa, 1865. 

Orville H. Browning, Ill., 1866. 

Jacob D. Cox, Ohio, March 5, 1869. 

Columbus Delano, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1870. 

“ reappointed March 17, 1873. 


CHAPTEK XXXII. 

PUBLIC LAXDS. 

1. All the land in the United States, to which individuals 
or corporations have not acquired a legal title, is held by the 
general government. This includes the land, or the part of it 
not under special reservation, belonging to the Indians. As 
the settlements push on into the territory roamed over by the 
thinly scattered Indian tribes, an equitable arrangement is 
made with them, by whicli certain Reservations, large enough 
for their purposes are set aside for their occupation; and an 
indemnity, commonly in the form of an annuity, is made 
them for the lands to which they renounce their right. As 
they are gradually melting away, their lands will soon become 
all, or nearly all, the property of the government. 

2. The lands free for settlement are sold under certain reg¬ 
ulations; and given to certain classes—to soldiers, to actual 
settlers for Homesteads, to corporations to aid in promoting the 
public welfare—as Railroads and Colleges—and to support edu¬ 
cation in various ways; and the remainder held until required 
for use in the expansion of the country. 

Nearly 200,000,000 acres have been given to assist in build¬ 
ing railroads through unsettled parts of the country. A large 
part of this, however, has been only conditionally given, and 
not yet appropriated by the corporations. Many millions more 
have been given to the States as a fund in aid of public schools 
and collegiate institutions — and one thirty-sixth part is 
reserved, in every new township surveyed, for the benefit of 
public schools in that township. The rest is sold, at very 
low rates, to any who will buy. 

( 230 ) 


PUBLIC LANDS. 


231 


3. To manage this property a bureau was established by 
act of Congress, in 1812, called The General Land Office. It 
was under the oversight of the Secretary of the Treasury until 
1849, when the Department of the Interior was established, to 
which it was then transferred. Its head is called 

COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. 

4. He is appointed by the President and Senate, must take 
the usual official oath before entering on his duties, and must 
give the usual official bond. He keeps the seal of his office, 
and fixes an impression of it upon all papers emanating from 
the Land Office. He, with his clerks and assistants, forms the 
bureau, keeps all the records and papers pertaining to the 
public lands, and performs all duties relating thereto. He 
receives reports from surveyors and from the district land 
officers, gives them their instructions, and reports to the Presi¬ 
dent and to Congress when recpiired to do so. 

He issues all patents for lands granted by the United States, 
and sends and receives by mail all papers and documents relat¬ 
ing to his official business, at public expense. Every patent 
for land is issued in the name of the United States, is signed 
by the President and by the Commissioner of the Land Office, 
and is then recorded in books kept for that purjDose. 

SURVEYORS GENERAL AND DEPUTY SURVEYORS. 

5. When it is deemed necessary and expedient to bring the 
lands in any particular State or section of the country into 
market, a surveyor general is appointed for that State or sec¬ 
tion, and also a sufficient number of deputy or assistant sur¬ 
veyors to perform the work; which is done under the direction 
of the surveyor general, who is liimself directed by law as to 
the manner of procedure. He is appointed for four years, 
taking the usual oath, and gives bonds for the faithful perform¬ 
ance of his duties. 

MODE OF SURVEYING THE PUBLIC LANDS. 

6. The law directs how the lands shall be surveyed and 
mapped. Where it is practicable, they are laid out into 


232 


PUBLIC LANDS. 


square miles, each of which contains 640 acres, and is called a 
section. 

These sections are then sub-divided into halves, quarters, and 
eighths of sections; that is, into lots of 320, 160, and 80 acres. 
The boundary lines are all run north and south, and east and 
west. Thirty-six of these sections, which make a plat of six 
miles square, are put into a township. These townships are 
designated by numbers, but when inhabited are named by the 
inhabitants as their fancy dictates. 

SALE OF THE PUBLIC LANDS. 

7. After the lands have been surveyed and properly mapped 
into townships and sections, they are brought into market and 
offered lor sale in such quantities as are wanted by the pur¬ 
chaser; from 40 acres, one-sixteenth of a section, up to a 
whole section; or as many sections as the buyer pleases to 
take. 

DISTRICT LAND OFFICES. 

8. District land offices for the sale of lands are established 
for this purpose at as many places in the State or Territory 
where the lands are situated, as is deemed necessary for the 
convenience of purchasers. Here are kept maps of all the 
lands lying in the district, and buyers may make their selec¬ 
tions both of quantity and location as suits them. Here they 
will find 

A REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE AND A RECOVER OF PUBLIC 
MONEY FOR LANDS. 

9. The first named officer will register the application 
made for land in a book kept for that purpose, and the second 
will receive the money paid for it. These officers are appointed 
by the President and Senate, and report their proceedings to 
th ■ General Land Office at Washington. The receiver trans¬ 
mits all moneys received by him to the United States Treasury 
once in a month or once in three months, as directed. 

SCHOOL LANDS. 

10. As before stated, the public lands are surveyed into 


PUBLIC LANDS. 


233 


sections of one mile square, and tliirty-six of these sections 
make a township. For the purpose of encouraging education, 
Congress has enacted that section number 16, in every town¬ 
ship, shall not be sold, but reserved for the township, to be 
applied to the support of common schools in that town. By 
this measure the government appropriated one thirty-sixth 
part of its lands to aid the work of educating the children in 
the new States. And in addition to this it has made other 
munificent donations of land for the establishment and support 
of colleges and other institutions of learning. 

11. In addition to all this the United States have donated 
large tracts of land to the several States in which it lay, to aid 
them in building their State houses, &c. Large quantities of 
land have also been given to aid the construction of railroads. 

HOMESTEADS. 

12. Tlie government has always sold its lands at a very low 
price, preferring to give the people cheap farms, rather than to 
raise more revenue from this source. 

But in 1862, Congress passed an act called “ the Homestead 
Law,” the object of which was to cheapen the public lands to 
a mere nominal price to heads of families, male or female, or 
to persons 21 years of age or over, or to persons who had 
served in the army or navy of the United States, whether 21 
years old or not. By the provisions of this act such persons 
are allowed, for the trifling sum of ten dollars, to enter upon 
and claim 160 acres of land, provided the claimant swears that 
the land is applied for his or her own use, and for settlement 
and cultivation. But no patent (deed) is to be given until the 
applicant has actually settled upon and cultivated the land for 
the space of five years. Such applicant must also make affida¬ 
vit that he has never borne arms against the United States. 

By this liberal policy, persons of very limited means may 
provide themselves with comfortable homes for life; and the 
unoccupied lands will be settled and occupied faster tlian if 
the old price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre had 


234 


PUBLIC LAISTDS. 


been demanded. The revenue from the sale of lands will of 
course be less, but the wealth of the country will undoubtedly 
be increased by the measure. 

13. Exceedingly rich and valuable mines of gold, silver, 
copper, lead and other minerals have been found upon the pub¬ 
lic lands. That the benefits of mining them might be 
extended to the many, instead of being monopolized by a few, 
a different rule for selling them has been made. After they 
have been surveyed, mapped and described, they, like other 
lands, are oftered for sale, but in quantities of not more than 
40 acres. These are generally sold at auction, but no bid less 
than five dollars per acre will be received. If not sold at public 
sale, they are then subject to private sale at that price. 


CHAPTEE XXXIII. 

HOW TO SECUKE PUBLIC LANDS. 

There are two classes of public lands subject to entry; one 
at $1.25 per acre, known minirrmm^ and one at $2.50, known 
as double minirrmm^ the latter being the alternate sections 
along the lines of railroads. Title may be acquired by pur¬ 
chase at public sale, or by “private entry,” and in virtue of 
the Pre-emption and Homestead Laws. 

At Public Sale .— Lands are offered at auction to the high¬ 
est bidder, pursuant to proclamation or public notice. 

Private Entry .— Lands subject to private entry, are those 
which have been once offered at public sale without finding 
purchasers. In order to acquire title to tliese lands, a written 
application must be made to the Land Eegister of the District 
in which the land is located, describing the tract desired. The 
Register certifies the fact to the Receiver, stating price, and the 
applicant then pays the money and takes a receipt, and at the 



HOW TO SECTJEE PUBLIC LAOTIS. 


235 


close of the month the Eegister and Receiver make return of 
the sale to the General Land Office, when a patent or full title 
issues on due surrender of the receipt, and will be delivered at 
the option of the purchaser, at the General Land Office in 
Washington, or by the Eegister at the District Land Office. 

Land Warrants .— When lands are to be located with land 
warrants, application must be made as in cash cases, accompa¬ 
nied by an assigned warrant. When the tract is $2.50 per acre, 
$1.25 per acre must be paid in addition to the warrant. 
Receipts are given and patents delivered, as in the preceding 
case. At the time of location, a fee of 50 cents for a 40 acre 
warrant, and a corresponding amount for larger ones, must be 
paid to the Eegister, and a like sum to the Receiver. 

Agricultural College Scrip .—This may be used in the loca¬ 
tion of lands at private entry, but is only applicable to lands 
subject to entry at $1.25 per acre, and is restricted to a techni¬ 
cal “ quarter section,” and to three sections in each township 
of land. The proceeding to acquire title is the same as in 
cash and warrant cases, the fees being the same as on warrants. 
This scrip may be used in payment of pre-emption claims. 

Pre-emption .—Any person being the head of a family, or 
widow, or single man over 21 years of age, and a citizen of the 
United States, or a person who has filed his declaration to 
become such, by settling upon and improving any of the 
“ offered,” “ unofifered,” or unsurveyed lands of the United 
States, may obtain a pre-emption right to purchase 160 acres 
so occupied, at the regular government price, whether it be 
$1.25 or $2.50 per acre. Where the tract is ‘^offered” land, 
the settler must file with the District Land Office his state¬ 
ment as to the fact of settlement, within thirty days thereafter, 
and within one year must make proof to the Land Office, of 
his actual residence and cultivation, and secure the land by 
payment in cash or Land Warrant. Where the land has been 
surveyed and not offered at public sale, the statement must be 
filed within three months after settlement, and payment made 
within 21 months. Where settlement is made upon unsur- 


236 


HOW TO SECUEE PUBLIC LANDS. 


vejed lands, the settler is required to file a statement within 
three months after the survey, and pay within eighteen months 
thereafter. ISTo person is entitled to more than one pre-emption 
right. 

The Homestead Privilege .—The Homestead laws give to 
every citizen the right to a Homestead of 160 acres minimum, 
or eighty acres double minimum. To obtain Homestead, 
applicant must swear that he is the head of a family, or over 
the age of twenty-one, a citizen, or has declared his intention 
to become such; and that the entry is for his exclusive use and 
benefit, and for actual settlement and cultivation. When an 
applicant has made actual settlement upon the land he desires, 
he must make affidavit of the fact before the Land Kegister, 
and pay fees amounting, on 160 acres of minimum land, to $18, 
or an equal sum for eighty acres of double minimum, for which 
he gets a receipt; and after five years’ occupation and cultiva¬ 
tion of the land, he is entitled upon proof of such cultivation 
to a patent or full title to the Homestead. Any loyal person 
in the naval or military service of the United States, may 
acquire a Homestead by reason of his family occupying land 
and making the application in his stead. All officers, soldiers, 
and sailors who have served in the army or naw)^ for ninety 
days and remained loyal, may enter 160 instead of 80 acres of 
double minimum lands. The fees above for entering Home¬ 
stead apply to surveyed lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota, Alabama, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and 
Illinois. In California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, New Mex¬ 
ico, Washington Territory, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, 
and Montana, the fees are $22 instead of $18. A settler hav¬ 
ing filed a pre-emption declaration, may change his filing into 
Homestead, and receive the benefit of the Homestead laws. If 
a Homestead settler does not wish to remain five years on his 
land before obtaining title, he may pay for it in cash or Land 
Warrants. Lands obtained under the Homestead laws are 


HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS. 


237 


exempt from liability for debts contracted prior to the issuing 
of the patent. 

United States La'nd Offices are located at Fort Des Moines, 
Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge and Sioux City, Iowa; Menasha, 
Falls of St. Croix, Stevens’ Point, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau 
Claire, Wisconsin; San Francisco, Marysville, Humboldt, 
Stockton, Yisalia, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, California; 
West Point, Beatrice, Lincoln, Dakota City, and Grand Island, 
Nebraska; Taylor’s Falls, St. Cloud, Du Luth, Alexandria, 
Jackson, New Ulm, and Litchfield, Minnesota; Oregon City, 
Roseburg, and Le Grand, Oregon; Topeka, Junction City, 
Humboldt, and Augusta, Kansas; Carson City, Austin, Bel¬ 
mont, and Aurora, Nevada; Vermilion, Springfield, and Pem¬ 
bina, Dakota; Denver City, Fair Play, and Central City, 
Colorado; Boonville, Iron ton, and Springfield, Missouri; Mobile, 
Huntsville, and Montgomery, Alabama; New Orleans, Monroe, 
Natchiloches, Louisiana; Detroit, East Saginaw, Iona, Mar¬ 
quette, and Traverse City, Michigan; Little Rock, Washington, 
and Clarksville, Arkansas; Boise City, and Lewiston, Idaho; 
Chillicothe, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Springfield, Illinois; 
Jackson, Mississippi; Tallahassee, Florida; Olympia, and Van¬ 
couver, Washington Territory; Helena, Montana; Prescott, 
Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah. 

PRE-EMPTION LAWS. 

A pre-emption right is the right of a squatter upon the 
lands of the United States to purchase, in preference to others, 
when the land is sold. Such right is granted to the following 
persons: Any citizen of the United States; any person who has 
filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen; any head 
of a family; any widow; any single woman of the age of 
twenty-one years or over; and any person who has made a set¬ 
tlement, erected a dwelling-house upon, and is an inhabitant 
of the tract sought to be entered —provided such settlement 
was made since June 1, 1840, and previously to the time of 
application for the land, which land must, at the date of the 


238 


HOW TO SECUKE PUBLIC LAHDS. 


settlement, have had the Indian title extinguished, and been 
surveyed by the United States. 

A person bringing himself within the above requirements 
by proof satisfactory to the Register and Receiver of the land 
district in which the land may lie, taken pursuant to the rules 
hereafter prescribed, will, after hav^ing taken the affidavit 
required by the Act, be entitled to enter, by legal subdivisions, 
any number of acres, not exceeding one hundred and sixty, or 
a quarter-section, to include his residence; and he may avail 
himself of the same at any time prior to the day of the com¬ 
mencement of the public sale, including said tract, where the 
land has not yet been proclaimed. 

Where the land was subject to private entry, June 1, 1840, 
and a settlement shall thereafter be made upon such land, or 
where the land shall become hereafter subject to private entry, 
and after that period a settlement shall be made, which the 
settler is desirous of securing, notice of such intention must 
be given within thirty days after such settlement; and, in all 
such cases, the proof, affidavit and payment must be made 
within twelve months after such settlement. 

The tracts liable to entry are embraced under the following 
designations: First, a regular quarter-section, notwithstanding 
the quantity may vary a few acres from one hundred and sixty; 
or a quarter-section, which, though fractional in quantity by 
the passage of a navigable stream through the same, is still 
bounded by regular sectional and quarter-sectional lines; second, 
a fractional section containing not over one hundred and sixty 
acres, or any tract being a detached or anomalous survey made 
pursuant to law, and not exceeding such quantity; third, two 
adjoining half-quarter-sections (in all cases to be separated by 
a north and south line, except on the north side of township, 
where the surveys are so made as to throw the excess or defi¬ 
ciency on the north and west sides of the township), of the 
regular quarters mentioned in the first designation ; fourth, 
two half-quarter or eighty-acre subdivisions of a fractional or 
broken section, adjoining each other, the aggregate quantity 


HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS. 


239 


not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres ; fifths a regular 
half-quarter and an adjoining fractional section, or an adjoin¬ 
ing half-quarter subdivision of a fractional section, the aggre¬ 
gate quantity not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres; sixths 
.if the pre-eiiiptor do not wish to enter one hundred and sixty 
acres, he may enter a single half-quarter section (made by a 
north and south line), or an eighty-acre subdivision of a frac¬ 
tional section ; seventh^ one or more adjoining forty-acre lots 
may be entered, the aggregate not exceeding one hundred and 
sixty acres ; and, eighth^ a regular half-quarter, a half-quarter 
subdivision, or a Iractional section, may each be taken, -svith 
one or more forty-acre subdivisions lying adjoining, tiie, aggre¬ 
gate not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres. Forty-acre 
tracts, or quarter quarter-sections, may be entered in the same 
manner that eighty-acre, or half-quarter sections, have been. 

Only one person upon a quarter-section is protected, and he 
the one who made the first settlement, provided he conform to 
the other provisions of the law. A person who has once availed 
himself of the provisions of the Pre-emption Act, cannot, at 
any future period, or at any other land office, acquire any other 
right under it. No person, who is the proprietor of three 
hundred and twenty acres of land in any State or Territory of 
the United States, or who quits or abandons his residence on 
his own land to reside on the public land in the same State or 
Territory, is entitled to the benefit of the Pre-emption Acts. 

The approval of the tracts by the local land office is the evi¬ 
dence of the survey; but the land is to be construed as surveyed 
when the requisite lines are run on the field, and the corners 
established by the deputy surveyor. No assignment or trans¬ 
fers of pre-emption rights are recognized at the land ofiice; the 
patents issuing to the claimants, in whose names alone the entries 
are made. 

The following description of lands are not liable to entry : 
firsts lands included in any reservation by any treaty, law, or 
proclamation of the President of the United States, and lands 
reserved for salines and for other purposes ; second^ lands 


240 


HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS. 


reserved for the support of schools ; thirds lands acquired by 
either of the last two treaties with the Miami Indians in Indi¬ 
ana, or which may be acquired of the Wyandot Indians in Ohio, 
or any other Indian reservation, to which the title has been, or 
may be extinguished at any time during the operation of the 
Pre-emption Acts, by the United States ; fourth^ sections of 
lands reserved to the United States, alternate to other sections 
granted to any State for the construction of any canal, railroad, 
or other public im^^rovement; fifths sections, or fractions of 
sections, included within the limits of any incorporated town; 
sixths every portion of the public lands which has been selected 
as a site for a city or town; seventh^ every parcel or lot of land 
actually settled and occupied for the purposes of trade and 
agriculture; and, eighth^ all lands in which are situated any 
known salines or mines. 

Persons claiming the benefit of the Pre-emption Acts are 
required to file duplicate affidavits, such as are specified by law, 
and to furnish proof, by one or more disinterested witnesses, 
of the facts necessary to establish the requisites mentioned in 
the first paragraph of this article ; such witnesses having first 
been duly sworn or affirmed by some competent authority. 

If adverse claims are made to the same tract, each claimant 
is to be notified of the time and place of taking testimony, and 
allowed to cross-examine the opposite witnesses, and to furnish 
counter-proof, itself subject to cross-examination. If, by reason 
of distance, sickness, or infirmity, the witnesses cannot person¬ 
ally appear before the register of the land office, their deposi¬ 
tions, taken in conformity with the following regulations, may 
be received: 

The notice to adverse claimants must be in writing, and 
served in time to allow at least one day for every twenty miles 
which the party may have to travel in going to the place of 
taking evidence. The proof, in all cases, should consist of a 
simple detail of facts merely, and not of broad and general 
statements. If the pre-emptor be “the head of a family,” the 
witnesses must ste.te the facts constituting him such ; whether 


HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS. 


241 


he be a husband having a wife and children, or a widower, or 
an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age, having a 
family, either of relatives or others, dependent upon him, or 
hired persons. All the facts relative to the settlement in per¬ 
son, inhabitancy, or personal residence, the time of its com¬ 
mencement, the manner and extent of its continuance, as also 
those sharing the apparent objects, must be stated. It must 
be stated that the claimant made the settlement on the land in 
person ; that he has erected a dwelling upon the land ; that he 
lived in the same, and made it his home, etc. In the event of 
a decision by the land officer against the claimant, he may 
appeal to the Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington. 

No entry will be permitted until the affidavit required of the 
claimant is taken. Duplicates thereof must be signed by the 
claimant, and the fact of the oath being taken must be certified 
by the register or receiver administering the same; one copy to 
be filed in the Register’s office, and the other to be sent to the 
Land Office at Washington. 

A purchaser of public land is only required to make written 
application to the Register of the local land office for the tract 
desired to be entered, and to pay to the Receiver the purchase 
money therefor. Blank forms of such application are furnished 
gratuitously at the Land Office where the tract is desired to be 
entered. 

Soldiers’ Homestead Law of 1872. 

The following is the full text of the Amendatory Soldiers’ 
Homestead Bill, approved by the President on the 3d of April, 
1872. 

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States of America in Congress assembled: 
That every private soldier and officer who has served in the 
army of the United States during the recent rebellion for ninety 
days or more, and who was honorably discharged, and has 
remained loyal to the government, including the troops mus¬ 
tered into the service of the United States by virtue of the 
U 


242 


HOW TO SECURE PUBLIC LANDS. 


tliircl section of an act entitled “ An act making ajjpropriations 
for completing the defenses of Washington, and for other pur¬ 
poses,” approved February 13th, 1862, and every seaman, 
marine, and officer who has served in the navy of the United 
States, or in the marine corps, during the rebellion, for ninety 
days, and who was honorably discharged, and has remained 
loyal to the government, shall, on compliance with the pro¬ 
visions of an act entitled “ An act to secure homesteads to 
actual settlers on the public domain, and the acts amendatory 
thereof, as hereinafter modified, be entitled to enter upon and 
receive patents for a quantity of public lands (not mineral) not 
exceeding one hundred and sixty acres, or one quarter-section, 
to be taken in compact form according to legal subdivision, 
including the alternate reserved section of public lands along 
the line of any railroad or other public work not otherwise 
reserved or appropriated, and other lands subject to entry under 
the homestead laws of the United States : Provided^ the said 
homestead settler shall be allowed six months after locating 
his homestead within which to commence his settlement and 
improvements: And provided also^ the time which the home¬ 
stead settler shall have served in the army, navy, or marine 
corps aforesaid shall be deducted from the time heretofore 
recpiired to perfect title, or if discharged on account of wounds 
received, or disability incurred in the line of duty, then the 
term of enlistment shall be deducted from the time heretofore 
required to perfect title, without reference to the length of 
time he may have served : Provided^ however^ that no patent 
shall issue to any homestead settler who has not resided upon, 
improved and cultivated his said homestead for a period of at 
least one year after he shall commence his improvements as 
aforesaid. 

Section 2. That any person entitled under the provisions 
of the foregoing section to enter a homestead, who' may have 
heretofore entered under the Homestead law a quantity of land 
less than one hundred and sixty acres, shall be permitted to 
enter under the provisions of this act so much land as, when 


HOW TO SEC HUE PUBLIC LANDS. 


243 


added to the quantity previously entered, shall not exceed one 
hundred and sixty acres. 

Section 3. That in the case of the death of any person who 
would be entitled to a homestead under the provisions of the 
first section of this act, his widow, if unmarried, or in case of 
her death or marriage, then his minor orphan children, by a 
guardian duly approved and officially accredited at the Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, shall be entitled to all the benefits enu¬ 
merated in this act, subject to all the provisions as to settle¬ 
ment and improvements therein contained : Provided^ that if 
such person died during his term of enlistment, the whole term 
of his enlistment shall be deducted from the time heretofore 
inquired to perfect the title. 

Section 4. That where a party, at the date of his entry of a 
tract of land under the Homestead laws, or subsequently thereto, 
was actually enlisted and employed in the army or navy of the 
United States, his services therein shall, in the administration 
of said Homestead laws, be construed to be equivalent, to all 
intents and purposes, to a residence for the same length of time 
upon the tract so entered : Provided^ that if his entry has 
been canceled by reason of his absence from said tract while in 
the military or naval service of the United States, and such tract 
has not been disposed of, his entry shall be restored and con¬ 
firmed : And provided further^ that if such tract has been 
disposed of^ said party may enter another tract subject to the 
entry under said laws, and his right to a patent therefor shall 
be determined by the proofs touching his residence and culti¬ 
vation of the first tract and his absence therefrom in such 
service. 

Section 5. That any soldier, sailor, marine, officer, or other 
person coming within the provisions of this act may, as well 
BY AN AGENT as in persoii, enter upon said homestead : Pro¬ 
vided,, that the said claimant in person shall, within the time 
prescribed [six months fkom date of entry] conirnence^ettle- 
ment and improvement on the same, and thereafter fulfill all 
the requirements of this act. 


244 


PATENTS. 


Secttion 6. That the commissioner of the General Land 
Office shall have authority to make all needful rules and regu¬ 
lations to carry into effect the provisions of this act.’’ 


CHAFTEFt XXXIV. 

FATEJSTTS. 

1. These originated in the desire of the founders of the 
government to encourage inventiun, in the belief that the gen¬ 
eral welfare of the country would be promoted by such a stim¬ 
ulus to genius, and the power to grant patents was expressly 
bestowed on Congress. That this was a very wise fore¬ 
thought there is no doubt. The hope of reward has given 
birth to innumerable inventions, among which some have been 
of incalculable value to the country, increasing its wealth 
almost beyond our power to estimate. It is, however, worth 
considering if there may not be a limit to the usefulness of the 
system, in its present form, in the changed conditions of the 
country. It is often the case that what accomplished the 
greatest good in its proper day, is at length outgrown, and 
becomes an embarrassment, requiring to be either essentially 
modified or laid aside. 

2. A patent right is an exclusive right, granted by an officer 
denominated the Commissioner of Fatents, in conformity to 
law, to the inventor or discoverer of any new and useful article. 
The exclusive right is conferred by acts of Congress, on com¬ 
pliance of the inventor with certain conditions which are 
clearly specified in the law. The evidence that such exclusive 
right has been conferred on any individual, is contained in a 
document, called “ letters patent,” issued at the patent office 
in Washington; signed by the Secretary of the Interior, (for¬ 
merly by the Secretary of State), countersigned by the Com- 



PATENTS. 


245 


iiiissioner of Patents, and sealed with the seal of his office. 
Thus protected, he alone can make, use and sell the article he 
has invented, for the term of fourteen years; and upon show¬ 
ing a good reason therefor-, the commissioner will extend the 
term seven years longer, or Congress will pass a special act for 
that purpose. 

3. This was the law up to 1861; and is still in force as to 
patents granted anterior to that date. But a new act was then 
passed, extending the term of an original patent to seventeen, 
instead of fourteen years, and prohibiting any extension of 
such patents. 

An inventor, before he can obtain a patent, must swear that 
he believes he is the inventor or discoverer of the art, machine, 
or improvement, for which he solicits a patent. He must also 
give in writing a clear, minute description of it; and, when 
necessary, must make and deliver a model of his invention; 
which in all cases must be something new, unused and unknown 
before, or his application will be rejected. There is considera¬ 
ble expense attending the procurement of a patent right. 

4. But when obtained, no person except the patentee, has 
any right to make, sell, or use the article patented, until the 
time has expired for which this exclusive right was granted, 
without the permission of the patentee. Any person doing so 
is liable to a heavy penalty, and may be prosecuted in the Cir¬ 
cuit Court of the United States; this court having original 
jurisdiction in all cases arising under the patent laws. But a 
writ of error or an appeal lies to the Supreme Court of the 
United States. 

5. The Patent Office, when first established, was a bureau 
of the State Department, and the Commissioner of Patents 
acted under the direction of the Secretary of State. But after 
the creation of the Department of the Interior, in 1849, it was 
transferred to it, became a bureau of the new department, and 
the commissioner now acts under the general direction of its 
secretary. 


24G 


PATENTS. 


THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS 

6. Is appointed by the President and Senate. His duties 
are best explained in the language of the law itself, which, in 
speaking of the creation and appointment of this official, says 
that his duties shall be “ to superintend, execute and perform 
all such acts and things touching and respecting the granting 
and issuing of patents for new and useful discoveries, inven¬ 
tions and improvements, as are herein provided for, or shall 
hereafter be by law directed to be done and performed.” 

He has the charge and custody of all books, records, papers, 
models, machines, and all other things belonging to the patent 
office; and has the privilege of sending and receiving letters 
and packages by mail, relating to the business of the office, free 
of postage. He has the power to appoint his clerks, examin¬ 
ers and subordinates; among whom are patent office agents, 
who may be appointed in not more than twenty of the princi¬ 
pal cities and towns in the United States. It is their duty to 
forward to the patent office all such models, specimens and 
manufactures, as shall be intended to be patented. 

7. In cases of appeal from the decision of the commis¬ 
sioner, the appeal may be made to the board of examiners, or 
to the Chief Justice of the District Court of the United States 
for the District of Columbia. There is a seal for the patent 
office, which the commissioner keeps, and which he must affix 
to patents when granted, and to other papers and records issued 
from his office, which are wanted as evidence in other places. 

lie is also authorized to publish a classified and alphabetical 
list of all patents issued at the patent office. This he fre¬ 
quently does, for the information of the public. 


CHAPTER XXXY. 

PEN SIGNS. 

Pensions are a provision, made bj the general government, 
for the officers and privates of the army and navy disabled in 
the servdce of the country. They peril their lives for tlie pro¬ 
tection of the public, and it has always been regarded as just 
that a support, proportioned to the extent of injury received, 
should be given to tliem, or to those dependent on them in 
case of their deatli. It is properly a continuance of pay in 
consideration of the services rendered. It does not often 
amount to a full support, and is graduated by the amount each 
received, according to rank. 

A COMMISSIONER OF TENSIONS 

Was appointed and placed at the head of a bureau, at first in 
tlie War Department, but afterward transferred to the care of 
th(3 Secretary of the Interior. It is a Pension Office, in fact. 
Til is commissioner is appointed by the President and Senate 
in tlie same manner as other important officers. It is his duty 
to carry into effect the pension laws. He is authorized to 
appoint pension agents in all tlie States and Territories, who 
receive and distribute the money due to pensioners in their 
several districts, the agents receiving from the government a 
percentage for their services. 

There has always been a large number on the list. At first 
they were the disabled soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary 
War; then of the War of 1812 with England, followed in 
1846 by the Mexican War. But all these were few compared 
with the number disabled in the Civil War. The amount 

( 247 ) 


248 


PENSIONS. 


appropriated by Congress for the year 1873-4, for pensions was 
$30,480,000. The law carefully protects the pensions against 
frauds and forbids its attachment by any legal ])rocess what¬ 
ever. The nation is grateful to its brave defenders. 

The proper officials to whom all applications should be made, 
by letter or petition, in Washington, are, by a soldier having 
his discharge, to the Paymaster General; when the discharge 
paper is lost, to the Second Auditor of the Treasury; when by 
those Avho represent a deceased person, to the second Auditor of 
the Treasury; when for commutation of rations, to the same 
officer; when for pensions, or any matter connected with pen¬ 
sions, to the Commissioner of Pensions. 

Instructions have been prepared for all applicants, by the 
Commissioner of Pensions for the purpose of preventing 
fraud or misunderstanding. Tliej^ are, in substance: 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

By the act of Congress approved July 14th, 18G2, and amen¬ 
datory acts, pensions are granted as follows: 

1. Invalids, disabled in tlie military or naval service of the 
United States, in the line of duty. 

2. Widows of persons who have been killed or have died in 
the military or naval service of the United States. 

3. Children under sixteen, of the classes of persons on 
account of whose death widows are entitled; provided said 
widows have died, or have remarried. 

4. Mothers of all classes of persons on account of whose 
death widows are entitled, provided said mothers were depend¬ 
ent on the deceased for supj^ort and no minor child survived. 

5. Fathers, the same as mothers, in case of the death of 
the latter. 

6. Brothers and sisters, under sixteen, provided they were 
dependent for support upon the person on account of whose 
decease they claim. 

The First Section of the Act of July 14th, 1802, showing 
the rates of pension to the several classes and grades, is as 
follows: 


PENSIONS. 


249 


Be it enacted hy the Senate and Iloiise of Representatives 
of the United States of America^in Congress assembled^ That 
if any officer, non-commissioned officer, musician, or private 
of the army, including regulars, volunteers, militia, or any 
othcer, warrant, or petty officer, musician, seaman, ordinary 
seaman, .flotillanian, marine, clerk, landsman, pilot, or other 
person in the navy or marine corps, has been, since the fourth 
day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, or shall here¬ 
after be, disabled by reason of any wound received or disease 
contracted while in the service of the United States, and in the 
line of duty, he shall, upon making due proof of the fact 
according to such forms and regulations as are or may be pro¬ 
vided by, or in pursuance of law, be placed upon the list of 
inv-alid pensions of the United States, and be entitled to receive, 
f(jr the highest rate of disability, such pension as is hereinafter 
provided in such cases, and for an inferior disability an amount 
proportionate to the highest disability, to commence as here¬ 
inafter provided, and continue during the existence of such 
disability. The pension for a total disability for officers, non¬ 
commissioned officers, musicians and privates employed in the 
military service of the United States, whether regulars, volun¬ 
teers, or militia, and in the marine corps, shall be as follows, 
viz.: lieutenant-colonel and all officers of a higher rank, thirty 
dollars per month; major, twenty-hve dollars per month; cap¬ 
tain, twenty dollars per month; first lieutenant, seventeen dol¬ 
lars per month; second lieutenant, fifteen dollars per month; 
and non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, eight 
dollars per month. The pension for total disability for officers, 
warrant or petty officers, and others employed in the naval ser¬ 
vice of the United States, shall be as follows, viz.: captain, 
commander, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer, respect¬ 
ively, ranking with commander by law, lieutenant command¬ 
ing, and master commanding, thirty dollars per month; 
lieutenant, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer, respect¬ 
ively, ranking with lieutenant by law, and ])assed assistant 
surgeon, twenty-five dollars per month; professor of inatlie- 


250 


PENSIONS. 


laatics, master, assistant surgeon, assistant paymaster, and 
chaplain, twenty dollars per month; lirst assistant engineer and 
pilots, fifteen dollars per month; passed midshipman, midshij)- 
man, captain’s, and paymaster’s clerk, second and third assistan: 
engineers, master’s mate, and all warrant officers, ten dollars 
per month; all petty officers, and all other persons before 
named employed in the naval service, eight dollars per month; 
and all coin missioned officers, of either service, shall receive 
such and only such pension as is herein provided for the rank 
in which they hold commissions. 

Act of July 4, 1864. 

Yarious supplementary Acts have been passed by the Act 
of July 14, 1862, modifying in some particulars the provisions 
of previous legislation. 

the Act of July 4, 1864, it is provided that biennial 
examinations will hereafter be made by one surgeon only, if he 
is regularly appointed, or holds a surgeon’s commission in the 
army. Examinations by unappointed civil surgeons will not 
be accepted, unless it can be shown that an examination by a 
commissioned or duly appointed surgeon is impracticable. 

Increased Pensions in Certain Cases. —A pension of 
twenty-five dollars per month is granted to those having lost 
both hands or both eyes in the military service of the United 
States, in the line of duty, and twenty dollars per month to 
those who, under the same conditions, shall have lost both feet, 
if such parties were entitled to a lower rate of pension under 
the act of 1862. This higher pension will date only from the 
4th day of July, 1864, in case of pensioners already enrolled, 
or of applicants discharged prior to that date. 

Evidence of Muster-in .—In accordance with the 11th Sec¬ 
tion of the Act of July 4, 1864, evidence of the muster-in of 
the soldier will not be required in any case, but there must be 
positive record evidence of service. Evidence of muster-in in 
the case of commissioned officers is still required. 

Act of June 6, 1866. 

The Supplementary Pension Act, approved June six, eigh- 


PENSIONS. 


251 


teeii hundred and sixty-six, provides increased rates of pensions 
over those granted by the Act of July fourteen, eighteen hun¬ 
dred and sixty-two, in the following cases, viz.: 

1. Twenty-five dollars per month to all those invalids enti¬ 
tled, under the Act of July fourteen, eighteen hundred and 
sixty-two, to a lower rate of pension, on account of service 
rendered since March four, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, 
“ wdio shall have lost the sight of both eyes, or who shall have 
lost both hands, or been permanently and totally disabled in 
the same, or otherwise so permanently and totally disabled as 
to render them utterly helpless, or so nearly so as to require 
the constant personal aid and attendance of another person.” 

2. Twenty dollars per month to those invalids who, being 
entitled under like conditions to a lower rate of pension, “ shall 
have lost both feet, or one hand and one foot, or been totally 
and permanently disabled in the same, or otlierwise so disabled 
as to be incapacitated for performing any manual labor, but not 
so much so as to require constant personal aid and attention.” 

3. Fifteen dollars per month to those invalids who, under 
like conditions, “ shall have lost one hand or one foot, or been 
totally and permanently disabled in the same, or otlierwise so 
disabled as to render their inability to perform manual labor 
equivalent to the loss of a hand or a foot.” 

In order to obtain the benefits of the foregoing provisions, 
pensioners already enrolled will file an application in accord¬ 
ance wdth form F, appended hereto. Proof in addition to 
that on file with the previous application need not be forwarded, 
except as shall be specially required in each case, after the 
ap]fiication is received. The applicant need only be examined 
by a pension surgeon when expressly required, on due notice 
from this office. Applicants not already pensioned, who believe 
themselves entitled to the benefit of the foregoing provisions, 
will specifically set forth such claim in their declarations, care¬ 
fully stating the nature of the disability on account of w^liich 
such higher rate of pension is claimed. The declaration must 
be made before some ofiicer of a court of record, or before a 


252 


PENSIONS. 


pension notary designated by this office, as provided by the 
third section of the act of July four, eighteen hundred and 
sixty-four. 

The above specified increased rates of pension will be allowed 
only to those disabled since the fourth day of March, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-one, and will date only from the sixth day 
of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-six. 

Teamsters^ Artificers^ and other Enlisted Men^ —not em¬ 
braced in the terms of the Act of July fourteen, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-two, or of Acts supplementary thereto, are, 
by the tenth section of the Act of June six, eighteen hundred 
and sixty-six, included in the administration of the pension 
laws, in the class of non-commissioned officers and privates. 

Minor Children to he Pensioned^ in Certain Cases^ instead 
of the Widow. —Tlie eleventh section provides that when any 
widow, entitled to a pension under previous Acts, has aban¬ 
doned the care of a child or children of her deceased husband, 
under sixteen years of age, “ or is an unsuitable person, by 
reason of immoral conduct, to have the custody of the same,^’ 
the pension shall be paid to the duly authorized guardian of 
such child or children, while under the age of sixteen years, 
and not to the widow. The proper proof in such case, as pro¬ 
vided by this section, is the certificate of the judge of any 
court having probate jurisdiction, “ that satisfactory evidence 
has been produced before such court ’’ to the effect above indi¬ 
cated. In presenting an application under tliis section, the 
guardians of the minor child or cliildren will make a declara¬ 
tion in accordance with the appended form G. 

Pensions Granted to Dependent Fathers and to Dependent 
Orphan Brothers. —By the twelfth section the provisions of 
the Act of July fourteen, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, are 
extended so as to include the dependent brother or brothers of 
a deceased officer, soldier or seaman, and the dependent father 
of such deceased persons, under like limitations as apply in 
the case of dependent sisters and mothers; but not more than 
one pension is granted on account of the same person, or to 


TENSIONS. 


253 


more than one of said classes. The forms prescribed for the 
latter cases may be used, with obvious variations, in applica¬ 
tions made by dependent fathers or on behalf of dependent 
brothers. 

Liinitations as to ^umbor aiid Date of Pensions. —The 
thirteenth section declares that but one pension shall be granted 
to any person at the same time; and that when application is 
not made within three years after the death or discharge of the 
party on whose account a pension is claimed, such pension, if 
allowed, “ shall commence from the date of filing the last 
paper in said case by the party prosecuting the same.’’ This 
limitation applies to all classes of pensions. 

Evidence of Marriage of Colored Applicants. —The four¬ 
teenth section provides that habitual recognition of the marriage 
relation between colored parties—that is, in the absence of the 
usually required proof—when shown by proof satisfactory to 
the Commissioner of Pensions,” shall ho accepted as evidence 
of marriage, and the children of such parties shall be regarded 
as if born in lawful wedlock. When the usual proof of mar¬ 
riage can be furnished, it will be required as heretofore. When 
only evidence of cohabitation and mutual recognition can be 
adduced, as provided in this section, the testimony of two cred¬ 
ible and disinterested witnesses will be required, who must 
state how long they have been personally acquainted with the 
parties, and for how long a period the latter are known to have 
recognized each other as man and wife. If such acquaintance 
is deemed to be of too recent date to warrant the acceptance 
of this testimony, or if there is reason to doubt, in any instance, 
that the marriage relation existed in good faith, more specific 
instructions will be issued, adapted to the circumstances of the 
particular case. 

Act of eJuLY 25, 18(16. 

Provost Marshals, Enrolling Officers, and others Entitled 
to the Benifts of the Pension Laws. —The first section of the 
Act of July twenty-five, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, extends 


254 


PENSIONS. 


the benefits conferred by the pension laws to provost marshals, 
deputy provost marshals, and enrolling oflicers disabled in the 
line of their official duty as such, and to the widows or depend¬ 
ents of such officers in like mannei\ 

Declarations will be made in accordance with the instructions 
issued under the Pension Act of July fourteen, eighteen hun¬ 
dred and sixty-two, and supplementary Acts. The grade of 
such officers, for the purpose of determining the rates of pen¬ 
sions under this section, is fixed as follows: Provost marshals 
will rank as captains; their deputies as first lieutenants; and 
enrolling officers as second lieutenants. 

Increased Pensions to Widows, and Orphan Children 
Under Sixteen Years of Age .—The second section of this act 
allows to those who are or shall be pensioned as widows of sol¬ 
diers or sailors, two dollars per month additional pension for 
each child (under sixteen years of age) of the deceased soldier 
or sailor by the widow thus pensioned. 

On the death or remarriage of such widow, or on the denial 
of a pension to her, in accordance with the provisions of sec¬ 
tion eleven of the Act of tfune six, eighteen hundred and sixty- 
six, the same amount to which she would otherwise be entitled, 
under this and previous provisions, is allowed to the minor 
children. The number and names of the children, with their 
ages, must be proved by the affidavits of two credible and dis¬ 
interested witnesses. The provisions of this section only 
include the children of the widow, and not those of her 
deceased husband by a previous marriage. Tlie widows of 
minor children of officers are not entitled to this increase. 
Declarations for an increase under this section, if for the 
widow, will be made in accordance with form II, appended 
hereto; and if for minor children, according to form I. The 
pension certificate must be sent with all applications filed 
subsequently to September four, eighteen hundred and sixty- 
six. 

Increase of Pensions under Acts prior to July 4, 1862.— 
All pensioners under Acts approved prior to July fourteen. 


PENSIONS. 


255 


eighteen hundred and sixty-two, are, by the third section of the 
present act, granted the same riglits as those pensioned under 
acts approved at or since that date, so far as said Acts may be 
applicable, with the exception of soldiers of the Revolution or 
their widows. This section applies only to pensioners who 
were such ,at the date of the approval of this Act. 

Declaration of claimants under this section will be made in 
accordance with the forms previously issued under Act of July 
fourteen, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and subsequent pen¬ 
sion acts, with the necessary modifications, and the pension 
certificates will be returned. 

Invalid Pensions of Claimants Dying while their Appli- 
eations are Pending^ the Evidence being Completed. —The 
fourth section of this act is construed in connection with the 
tenth section of the Act of July four, eighteen hundred and 
sixty-four, and the sixth section of the Act of June six, eigh¬ 
teen hundred and sixty-six, to which it is supplementary. If 
an applicant for invalid pension dies while his claim is pend¬ 
ing, the evidence having been completed, the pension, under 
the provisions of this section and of those sections of previous 
acts above referred to, is disposed of as follows: 

1. If he left a widow, or minor child, or children under 
sixteen years of age, or other dependent relatives, and died of 
wounds received or of disease contracted in the service or in 
the line of duty, no invalid pension certificate will issue, but 
such widow or dependent relatives will receive a pension, in 
their own right, taking precedence in the order prescribed by 
law in other cases. 

2. If the claimant left a widow or dependent relatives, but 
did not die of wounds received, or disease contracted in the 
service and in the line of duty, so that neither widow nor 
dependent relatives would be entitled to a pension on his 
account, then the certificate will be issued in his name, and the 
pension paid to the widow or to the dependent relatives, as the 
case may be, in the same order in which they would have been 
pensioned, if entitled, as set forth in the preceding paragraph. 


256 


PENSIONS. 


3. If the claimant left no widow or dependent relatives, the 
certificate will issue in his name, and the pension will be drawn 
bj his executor or administrator. 

Certain Accrued Rights Reserved rnider Repealed Enact¬ 
ments. —The liftli section reserves all rights that may have 
accrued under the fifth section of the pension Act of July four, 
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and the third section of the 
pension Act of March three, eighteen hundred and sixty-tive, 
though repealed by the first section of the Act of June six, 
eighteen hundred sixty-six. 

Widows Remarrying while their Claims are Pending — 
Are entitled, under the sixth section, if their claims are other¬ 
wise valid, to receive pensions to the date of remarriage, if the 
deceased ofiicer, soldier or sailor, on whose account they claim, 
left no legitimate child under sixteen years of age. 

Joseph II. Baurfft, 
Commissioner of Pensions. 

Pension Office, August 4, 1866. 

Act of July 27, 1868. 

Section 1. — Dependent Relatives. —In this section prece¬ 
dence is given to the dependent relatives hereinafter mentioned, 
in the following order, to wit: First, mothers; secondly, fath¬ 
ers; thirdly, orphan brothers and sisters under sixteen, who 
shall be pensioned jointly; and the persons enumerated shall 
each be entitled in their order, after the death of the one- pre¬ 
ceding. 

Sect. 2.— Invalids Disabled Subsequent to Passage of this 
Act. —This section specifies as to pensions by reason of disabil¬ 
ities incurred subsequent to the passage of this Act, and enume¬ 
rates the circumstances under which said disabilities must have 
been contracted. 

Sect. 3. — Unclaimed Pensions. — This section provides that 
pensions remaining unclaimed for fourteen months after 
the same have become due, shall be adjusted at the Pen¬ 
sion Agency instead of at the office of the Third Auditor; and 


PENSIONS. 


257 


the failure of any pensioner to claim his or her pension for 
three years, shall be deemed presumptive evidence that the 
same has legally terminated. On a new application, with evi¬ 
dence satisfactorily accounting for such failure, the pensioner 
may be restored to the rolls. 

Sect. 4— Increase of Pensions of Widows and of Chil¬ 
dren hy a former Wife. —This section gives an increase of 
two dollars per month for each minor child of a deceased sol¬ 
dier, to commence from the death of their father, and continue 
until they severally attain the age of sixteen years; and pro¬ 
vides that the children of a former marriage shall be “ entitled 
to receive two dollars per month, to commence from the death 
of their father, and continue until they severally attain the age 
of sixteen years, to be paid to the guardian of such child or 
children for their use and benelit; Provided^ however.^ That in 
all such cases such widow is charged with the care, custody, 
and maintenance of such child or children, the said sum of two 
dollars per month for each of said children shall be paid to her 
for and during the time she is or may have been so charged 
with the care, custody, and maintenance of such child or chil¬ 
dren, subject to the same conditions, provisions and limitations 
as if they were her own children by her said deceased husband. 

Sect. 5.— Widows and Minors not Debarred^ etc. —By this 
section no widow or guardian to whom an increase of pension 
has been or may hereafter be granted on account of minor chil¬ 
dren, shall be deprived thereof by reason of their being main¬ 
tained or educated at the expense of the State or of the public. 

Sect. 6 . — Extension of Limitation. —This section provides 
that all pensions applied for within five years after the right 
thereto shall have accrued, and which have been or may be 
granted under the Act of July 14, 1862, or Acts supplemen¬ 
tary thereto, shall commence from the discharge or death of the 
person on whose account the pension has been or shall be 
granted; and in cases of insane persons and minors, who w^ere 
without guardians or other proper legal representatives pre¬ 
vious to said limitation, applications may be filed in their 
17 


258 


PENSIONS 


behalf after its expiration. Tliis section applies solely to cases 
in which the title to pension has accrued subsequent to March 
4, 1861. 

Sect. 7.— Arrears. —In which notihcation of title to arrears 
of pension, under the foregoing section is provided for; and 
also that no claim agent or other person shall be entitled to 
compensation for services in making application for such 
arrears. 

Sect. 8.— Widow^s Pension to Children.) etc. —In which 
the requirement of the certificate of the court that satisfactory 
evidence has been adduced of the abandonment of the care of 
the minor child or children of a deceased soldier by his widow, 
or of her unsuitableness to have custody of them is dispensed 
with. The furnishing of satisfactory evidence thereof to the 
commissioner shall be sufficient to cause the suspension of said 
widow’s pension. 

Sect. 9. — Pending Claim may he Completed hy Heirs .— 
In which if any person entitled to a pension has died since 
March 4, 1861, his heirs or legal representatives shall be enti¬ 
tled to receive the accrued pension; provided no widow or 
minor child survives the applicant. 

Sect. 10.— Remarriage. —This section provides for pension 
to the widow or dependent mother, from the death of soldier 
to the date of claimant’s remarriage, (provided no children 
under sixteen survive.) 

Sect. 11.— Extension of Time. —This section provides for 
the continuance in force of the Act of July 4, 1864, from the 
4th July, 1867, for live years. 

Sect. 12.— Loss of an Eye. —This section allows twenty- 
live dollars as a pension for total loss of sight from wounds 
received or disease contracted in the service, though the pen¬ 
sioner may have had only one eye when entering the service. 

Sect. 13.— Pension hy reason of Right Accrued since Res¬ 
olution. —By this section all persons pensioned by reason of 
ser^dces rendered since the war of the Eevolution, and prior to 
March 4, 1861, are placed on the same footing with those pen- 


INDIAN AFFAIES. 


259 


sioned under Acts passed since that time; and grants eight 
dollars per month to the widows of revolutionary soldiers and 
sailors now pensioned at less than that amount. 

Sect. 14. — Limhs to Officers. — By this section captains in 
the army and lieutenants in the navy, and those of less rank, 
who have lost a leg or an arm in such service, shall be entitled 
to receive an artificial limb upon the same terms as privates in 
the army. 

Sect. 15 .—Special Acts. — By this section all pensions 
granted by special Acts shall be subject to be varied in amount, 
according to the provisions and limitations of tlie pension 
laws. 

Sect. 16 .—Repealing Clause .—By this section all Acts and 
parts of Acts inconsistent with the foregoing provisions of 
this Act be and the same are hereby repealed. 


CIIAPTEK XXXVI. 

INDIAN AFFAIBS. 

When America was discovered, in 1492, the whole continent 
was thinly populated (except in some few regions where a 
considerable degree of civilization and skill in agriculture had 
been attained, as in Mexico and Peru) by roving tribes of 
natives, of unknown origin. These were called, by Europeans, 
Indians, from the erroneous idea of Columbus, and the men 
of that age at first, that there was only one continent; and 
that they had reached the eastern shore of Asia, when America 
was discovered. 

The whole of the region comprising our country was in the 
possession of a great number of these tribes. Their number, 
when permanent settlements began to be made, is not known, 
but probably amounted, in all the vast territory, to only a 



260 


INDIAN AFFAIRS. 


few million—perhaps two or three. They divided the country 
between them, in an indefinite way, war and hunting being 
their chief occupations. They attempted very little cultivation 
of the soil. The settlements of the Indians were as indefinite 
and moveable as their boundaries, and they attached little value 
to land. Territory was acquired from them partly by force 
and partly by purchase. These last were usually made for a 
nominal sum, and with little comprehension, on their part, of 
the importance and future effects of its alienation. 

As the settlements of Europeans extended, frequent and bar¬ 
barous wars, greatly exasperating the whites, arose as a revenge 
for private injuries, or in retaliation of encroachments on their 
hunting grounds. As these always ended, ultimately, in favor 
of the settlers, and the Indians were driven farther back, the 
country was taken possession of as the spoils of conquest. 
These desolating contests , and the easily-acquired vices of the 
whites constantly diminished their numbers. They were so 
inherently wild men that the conquered remnants usually 
withered and faded away under the process of civilization. 

When, after the War of the Revolution, the settlements came 
to be consolidated and extensive, under the rapid growth of 
the population, lands were reserved for these remnants; treaties 
were made wdth them, as with independent nations; and, from 
their improvidence and carelessness as to the economical pres¬ 
ervation of their resources, the indemnities allowed them for 
the lands to which they renounced all claim were paid to them 
in installments, or as annuities, by the government. Tliis sys¬ 
tem has been continued to the present day, and has occasioned 
the establishment of the 

INDIAN BUREAU OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. 

It is presided over by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
appointed in the usual way by the President and Senate. 
Numerous Superintendents and agents are appointed to reside 
near the different locations assigned to the Indians, to conduct 


INDIAN AFFAIRS. 


261 


the business under his supervision, and receive and distribute 
the goods and moneys given by treaty to each tribe. They give 
bonds for faithfulness in the employment of funds destined 
for the Indians. They are appointed for four years, and report 
and account to the Department of the Interior. 

Except a few who are taxed, the Indians are not counted 
among our population as citizens. Tliey have, therefore, no 
representative in Congress, nor, except the criminal law to 
some extent, are they amenable to other of our laws than such 
as the treaties have established. Their internal government is 
conducted by themselves alone, neither governor, judge, nor 
courts being established, as in other Territorial jurisdictions. 

They are difficult to control, however, not recognizing, as 
civilized people do (except a small number who are far on the 
way to civilization), the obligations of treaties and pledges. 
Dishonest and self-seeking men often take advantage of their 
ignorance and their love of ardent spirits and trinkets, to cheat 
and injure them. To remedy this as far as possible, white 
men are not permitted to reside on their reservations unless by 
special license of the government. Nor can they alienate their 
lands to white men not officials acting under government 
supervision. 

All pains are required to be taken by the government officers 
to promote their interests, and schools and missions are encour¬ 
aged among them, and agricultural implements are furnished 
so far as they can be persuaded to use them. In short, it is 
the benevolent and enlightened aim of the government to act 
as the guardians of their true interests, to encourage mental 
and moral culture among them, and assist them toward the 
acquisition of the arts and comforts of civilized life. 

It will easily be comprehended that many difficulties oppose 
themselves to this effort with a race whose instincts are so wild 
and fierce, and who adopt our vices so much more readily than 
our virtues, and are so easily influenced by bad and designing 
men. Still, progress is made, as will be seen in the case of 


262 


INDIAN AFFAIKS. 


THE INDIAN TERKITOEY. 

It is situated south of the 37th degree of north latitude, and 
west of the States of Arkansas and Missouri. Texas bounds 
it on the south. It has 71,127 square miles, and is about a 
third larger than the State of Illinois. It is very fertile, for 
the most part, and a beautiful region. It is inhabited, in great 
part, by Indians who have been transferred from the regions 
east of the Mississippi, mostly Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, 
and Seminoles. Some of these were removed by persuasion, 
and some by force, from their former homes, where they were 
disturbed by proximity to the rapidly increasing white 
population. 

Each tribe has its own section of the Territory. Here they 
practice their own customs unmolested, and conduct their own 
government. Many of them, especially the Cherokees, are 
intelligent and industrious. They have churches and schools 
and factories, highly-cultivated farms and good buildings. 
Improvement is so marked among them that it is not improb¬ 
able that they may at some future time become a State in our 
Union. At present they are amenable to the Circuit and 
District Courts of the adjoining States when certain crimes are 
committed by them against the whites in those States, but 
our courts have no authority over their relations to one another. 

The population of the Territory is 70,000. The entire 
Indian population of the country is over 300,000. They are 
scattered over the States and Territories between the Missouri 
river and the Pacific coast, and those outside the Indian Terri¬ 
tory are often at war with each other and with our citizens, 
requiring many troops and a large expense to keep them in 
subjection. It is probable that, as a race, they will soon become 
extinct, except, perhaps, those in the Indian Territory. They 
are uneasy, and dangerous neighbors to the whites in those 
sparsely-settled regions. The amount appropriated to the 
Indians by Congress for the year 1873-4, was $5,513,937, which 
was exclusive of their annuities, or funds invested for them, 
of which they receive the annual interest. 


CHAPTEK XXXYII. 


CENSUS BUREAU. 

1. A census is an enumeration, or counting, of the inliat 
itants of any country. History informs us that this was done 
in very ancient times. One of the books in the Old Testa¬ 
ment (Numbers) was named from the circumstance that it 
contains an account of the numbering of the Israelites, by 
the order of Moses. That numbering was a census of the peo¬ 
ple composing the Jewish nation. It not only gives us the 
total number of the people, but that of each tribe; much after 
our own mode of doing the same thing. We take ours by 
States, and we find the total of the whole nation. In ancient 
times a census seems to have been taken more for military 
than for any other purpose. This is one of the objects in the 
present day; but in modern times many uses are made of a 
census. It not only shows the military power of a nation, but 
when taken with the distinction of sex, and age, with an 
account of the births, marriages, and deaths during each year, 
it throws much light upon a variety of interesting topics; such 
as the longevity, the rate of mortality, the ratio of increase, 
and the average duration of human life. These, and many 
other important facts are obtained by a census. 

2. In the United States the census is the only means by 
which Congress determines the number of Representatives 
each State is entitled to have in that body. Hence the Con¬ 
stitution itself makes provision for the enumeration of the 
people once in ten 3 ^ears—called a decade. The first was made 
in 1790, the next in 1800, and so on every tenth year. If the 
number of any year ends with a cipher, we know that the 
United States census was taken, or will be taken, in that year, 
whether we look backward or forward. 

3. Up to the present time, according to the provisions made 

( 263 ) 


264 


CENSUS BUREAU. 


in tlie Constitution, a census has been taken nine times, and 
under the head of recapitulation (see index) we find what it 
was each time. We also find that from the lirst (1790), to the 
last (1870), the population had increased from 3,929,827, to 
38,838,180. Therefore it approximates very nearly to 40,000,- 
000; indicating a growth unparalleled by any nation in ancient 
or modern times. 

We will next state how this great national work is performed. 
The Constitution simply declares that it shall be done, but the 
laws specify how it shall be done, and who shall do it. 

The United States Marshals are the officers designated by the 
law as the persons who shall make the enumeration of the peo¬ 
ple in each State and Territory; in addition to which they are 
also required to procure other statistical matter, as directed by 
Congress. 

4. In order to accomplish this work, it is necessary to 
employ a number of assistant marshals, one of whom must 
visit every house in his district, and ascertain the number ot 
persons belonging to it, together with such statistical informa¬ 
tion as is required. This is all returned to the Marshal, and 
by him sent to the Department of the Interior at Washington, 
where, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, it 
is made into a report, and then laid before Congress, to be used 
by it in apportioning to the States their quota of Kepresenta- 
tives. This apportionment is actually made in the Department 
of the Interior, and then laid before Congress for its examina¬ 
tion and approval. The Marshal appoints and commissions 
his deputies, who must be sworn to perform the duties assigned 
to them, to the best of their ability. 

5. In the department of the Interior there is a board whose 
duty it is to superintend the work of taking the census. It 
prepares, prints, and sends to every Marshal the blanks to be 
used by him and his assistants; and when they have made 
returns of their work, the board arranges them preparatory to 
laying them before Congress. After this they are published, 
and make a valuable work of reference; for they contain a 


CENSUS BUREAU. 


265 


vast amount ot statistical information—such as the number 
of acres of land under cultivation, the number of bushels of 
grain of every kind produced in the year; the number of 
horses, cattle, sheep, swine, &c., raised; the number of manu¬ 
facturing establishments, and the amount of their productions; 
the number ot churches, schools, colleges, (&c.; the number of 
deaf, blind, idiotic, and insane persons; together with much 
other matter, quite too voluminous for insertion here. 

6. All this is done by order of Congress, and of course 
paid for from the United States Treasury. 

Elsewhere in this book (see index) we give a tabular state¬ 
ment of the population' of each State and Territory, at each 
time the census has been taken by the United States. It shows 
the increase at each decade from 1790, the first time it was 
taken, to 1870—the last at this date. This table also shows 
the increase in the number of States, from the original 13 to 
the present 37, besides the Territories, which alone are larger 
than the original 13 States, and nearly as numerous. 


CHAPTEK XXXYIII. 

THE DEPAKTMEXT OF AGKICULTUKE 

Was established by an act of Congress, May, 1862. It is 
not, like the other Departments of the Executive Branch of 
the government, superintended by a Secretary with a seat in 
the President’s Cabinet. Its Head is called The Commissoner 
of Agriculture, and he is appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, like other civil offi¬ 
cers. The creation of this office is a recognition of the extreme 
importance of this industry to tlie prosperity and welfare of 
the nation. Our country is eminently an agricultural one; and 
the interests confided to this department are those of a class 
of the people more numerous than any other, and on the 



266 THE DEPARTMENT (^)F AGRICULTURE. 

success of whose labors depends the well being of all. In 
proportion as this industry attains a higli state ot development, 
and is generally prosperous, do the professional, mercantile, 
and manufacturing classes increase in wealth. It is the found¬ 
ation on which they build. 

The great fertility of our country, and the breadth of area 
adapted to all the most useful products of the world, and the 
need of instruction, suggestion, and aid in properly adapting 
agricultural products to the soil and climate, by the large 
number of settlers in regions with whose peculiarities they are 
but partially familiar, give a special interest and value to this 
new Department. 

Its duty is to watch over this large field and make such 
suggestions to Congress in regard to legislation as shall seem 
called for; to disseminate such practical information among 
the people as it may be able to acquire by intelligent observa¬ 
tion in this and other countries; and the testing and dissemina¬ 
tion of rare and untried plants of other countries that promise 
to increase our agricultural resources. 

For experiments in the latter case, a propagating garden 
and grounds are provided, and the most skillful and intelligent 
officers, bringing all the lights of science to their assistance, 
devote themselves to the study of these plants, as to the soil 
and climate best adapted to them, the proper modes of culti¬ 
vation, and to acclimating them to our country. This branch 
of the department sends, to suitable sections of the country, 
such plants and seeds as it has reason to believe it will be 
profitable to introduce and cultivate. This usage, continued 
for many years, will, no doubt, contribute very greatly to the 
variety of useful products which add to our comfort and 
wealth. 

Tlie department keeps skillful chemists and naturalists con¬ 
stantly employed to gather information of various kinds, that 
may be useful to agriculturists. The character of soils, the 
influences of climate, the best system of farming, tlie diseases 
of domestic animals, and plants and their cure, tlie best 


THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 267 

mode of preserving crops from the ravages of insects, and 
many otliers are the subjects of careful investigation, and the 
information thus gained is freely communicated to the country 
at large. 

There is a statistical division, in which facts are gathered 
from the whole country and published monthly. This serves 
many useful purposes. It also collects data, for purposes of 
comparison and instruction, fi-om foreign countries. Whatever 
facets it may be most useful for farmers to know, whatever crops 
it may be most profitable for them to produce, and whatever 
improvements in the modes of agriculture and in agricultural 
implements are discovered to be possible are communicated 
to all without cost. 

Agricultural education receives much attention from the 
dej)artment, and all the facts and influences that can aid in 
making farmers thoroughly intelligent in their own pursuit, 
are gathered and employed with effect. Agriculture cannot 
but improve immeasureably under this fostering care, and this 
Department is likely to become one of the most important and 
useful in the government. It is yet in its infancy, but has 
already accomplished much good. 

The commissioner reports annually to Congress. He has 
power to appoint such officers as Congress considers necessary. 
In 1868 a fine building for this department was completed at a 
cost of $140,000. In contains a chemical laboratory with all 
tlie necessary apparatus and materials, and a museum, or col¬ 
lection of specimens, of value in tlie study of agriculture, 
store-rooms for seeds to be sent throughout the country, <fec. 
The beauty of the building and grounds adds a very attractive 
feature to the National Capital, and the Institution itself is a 
favorable comment on the wise and provident care bestowed 
by the government on the leading interest of the people. 


CHAPTEE XXXIX. 


POST OFFICE DEPAETMEXT AiNO POST MASTEE 
GEXEEAL. 

This department of the government, whose head, the Post 
Mastej* General, is a member of the Cabinet, exists by virtue 
of Section 8, Article 1st of the Constitution, where are these 
words: “Congress shall have the power to establish post 
offices and post roads.” 

From small beginnings, in early colonial times, and contin¬ 
ued through the Eevolutionary War, it has grown to be one 
of the largest and most important departments of the govern¬ 
ment. The security, speed, and cheapness of intercourse 
between all parts of the country and with foreign lands, is of 
the utmost importance to business and commerce; it encourges 
social intercourse and intimate relations among the people, and 
is of no small consequence in developing their intelligence and 
promoting their improvement. 

By successive laws of Congress it has been perfected to its 
present state of excellence. The duties connected with it are 
performed by many thousands of persons in every part of the 
country. They are of average intelligence and education, and 
must be trained to their work almost without personal instruc¬ 
tion or supervision, yet so complete is the organization, and so 
pervading the influence of the central power, the regulations 
so simple, clear, and precise, that mistakes are extremely rare, 
considering the great number of transactions, and instances 
of misconduct in office are probably less frequent than in any 
other branch of the public service, though employing persons 
well trained and under close surveillance. 

The Post Master General is appointed by the President and 
the Senate for four years. His office is in the General Post 
Office at Washiogton. He has three assistants, appointed in 

( 268 ) 


POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 


269 


the same manner as himself. He has a seal oi his office, an 
impression from which must be affixed to the commission of 
every postmaster in the United States; and also to all copies 
of papers and documents that may be wanted from his office. 
This only can give them official value of the same importance 
as the original papers. He must give bonds as security for 
faithfulness in office, and take the usual official oath. 

He has the entire direction and management of the Depart¬ 
ment, and the appointment of all local postmasters (in law 
considered as his deputies), whose salary is less than $1,000 
per annum. All others are appointed by the President and 
Senate. 

That its business may be more conveniently arranged and 
prepared for his final action, it is distributed among several 
bureaus, or minor departments as follows: 

THE APPOINTMENT OFFICE 

Includes the divisions of appointments; bonds given by 
postmasters, agents, and clerks; salaries and allowances, where 
they are not provided for by law; free delivery in cities; and 
the agency of blanks used in the extensive business and reports 
of the department. This office is in charge of the First 
Assistant Post Master General. 

THE CONTRACT OFFICE. 

This includes the divisions of contracts for carrying the 
mails, by persons or companies; the inspection of the entire 
process of carrying the mails, to secure their safe, regular, and 
prompt delivery; mail equipment, or the supply of all the 
material and conveniences for transportation of the mail, fur¬ 
nished by the department; special agents, and mail depreda¬ 
tions, which has the care of all violations of law and the con¬ 
duct and accounts of all agents employed for the suppression 
and prevention of abuses; and the Topographical, which has 
charge of maps and diagrams of mail routes, and geographical 
information, required for the various branches of the service. 
It is in charge of the Second Assistant Post Master General. 


270 


POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 


THE FINANCE OFFICE. 

This is separated into the divisions of Finance, which has 
charge of the entire cash receipts, transfers, and disbursements 
of the department; of postage stamps and stamped envelopes, 
newspaper wrappers, and postal cards; registered letters and 
seals; and the examination of Dead Letters and their return 
U) the writers. Dead letters are those not taken out of the 
<jffice to which they were sent. After being advertised three 
weeks in some newspaper near the office where they were sent, 
they are returned to the General Post Office, where they are 
examined; and if they contain money or valuable papers they 
are returned to the writers and an account of them kept at the 
General Post Office. The sums, so lost and taken care of, 
amount annually to tens of thousands of dollars. The Third 
Assistant Post Master General has charge of it. 

THE M(^NEY ORDER OFFICE. 

The Money Orders System furnishes very convenient and 
safe banking facilities for the transfer of money in small sums. 
It diminishes as much as possible the exposure of money to 
loss by theft or otherwise, through the plan of depositing in 
one office, and sending a certificate of such deposit which is 
good for the money at another office. Immense sums are so 
exchanged and business facilitated without any actual passage 
of the money from one point to the other. When it is neces¬ 
sary to preserve the balances it is done by, and at the risk of, 
the department. 

No more than fifty dollars can be sent in one order, nor more 
than three orders to the same person in one day. The number 
of these offices is more than 1,400. 


The rates of commission on money orders are. 


On orders not exceeding $10 



Over $10, and not exceeding 

$20. 


“ $20, “ “ “ 

$30. 


“ $30, “ ‘‘ 

$40. 


“ $40, “ “ “ 

$50. 



No fractions of cents allowed in orders. 








POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 


271 


When a money order has been lost or destroyed, a duplicate 
can be got, by the person who bought the order or by the per¬ 
son it was bought for, by applying either at the office where the 
order was bought or at the office where it should be paid. The 
Money Order Department is in charge of the Superintendent 
of the Money Order System. 

An international money order system, between the United 
States and Switzerland, went into operation September 1st, 
1869, whereby the exchange of Postal orders between the two 
countries is effected through the agency of two Post Offices 
termed International Exchange Offices. The Office of New 
York City being set apart for the United States, and that of 
Basle, in Switzerland, for that country. The amount drawn 
for cannot exceed fifty dollars in one order, three orders only 
can be obtained by the same person in one day. Tlie system 
works satisfactorily, and will no doubt be extended to Great 
Britain, and perhaps other European Nations at an early day. 

THE OFFICE OF FOKFIGN MAILS. 

It has the care of all foreign postal arrangements and the 
supervision of the ocean mail service. It is presided over by 
a Superintendent. 

THE AUDITOR OF THE TREASURY FOR THE POST OFFICE 
DEPARTMENT. 

This is a bureau of the Treasury Department, which, for 
convenience, is located in the General Post Office. To this 
officer is assigned the duty of auditing the accounts of the Post 
Office Department, all communications relating to the accounts 
of postmasters, mail contractors, and other agents of the 
Department, are addressed to this officer. 

Tlie head of so large and important a department of the 
public service is properly a chief officer of the government and 
has a. seat in the cabinet. 


272 


POST OFFICE DEPARmENT. 


NUMBER OF POST OFFICES AND MILES OF POST ROADS IN THE U. S. 

In 1790 there were but 75 post offices, and 1,875 in. of post-roads. 


1800 

u 

903 

u 

20,817 

U 

1810 

u 

2,300 

a 

36,400 

a 

1820 

u 

4,500 

u 

72,492 

U 

1830 

u 

8,450 

u 

115,176 

U 

1840 

(( 

13,463 

u 

155,739 

a 

1850 

a 

18,417 

u 

178,672 

u 

1860 


28,498 

u 

240,594 

u 

1870 

a 

28,492 

u 

231,232 

a 


POSTMASTERS GENE:RAL. 

Samuel Osgood, Mass., Sept. 26, 1789. 

Timothy Pickering, Mass., Aug. 12, 1791. 
Joseph Habersham, Ga., Feb. 25, 1795. 

Gideon Granger, Ct., Hov. 28, 1801. 

Return J. Meigs, O., March 17, 1814. 

John McLean, O., June 25, 1823. 

William T. Barry, Ky., March 9, 1829. 

Amos Kendall, Ky., March 1, 1835. 

John M. Niles, Ct., May 18, 1840. 

Francis Granger, N. Y., March 6, 1841. 

Charles A. Wickliff, Ky., Sept. 13, 1841. 

Cave Johnson, Tenn., March 5, 1845. 

Jacob Collamer, Yt., March 7, 1849. 

Nathan K. Hall, N. Y., July 20, 1850. 

S. D. Hubbard, Ct., Aug. 31, 1852. 

James Campbell, Pa., March 5, 1853. 

Aaron Y. Brown, Tenn., March 6, 1857. 

Joseph Holt, Ky., March 14, 1859. 

Horatio King, Jan. 1, 1861. 

Montgomery Blair, Md., MarcL 7, 1861. 
William Dennison, O., Oct. 1, 1864. 

Alexander W. Randall, Wis., July 15, 1866. 

J. A. J. Creswell, Md., March 5, 1869. 

“ “ reappointed March 17, 1873. 


CHAPTEK XL. 

KATES OF POSTAGE IX THE UNITED STATES 


On each letter weighing not more than one-half ounce three 
cents, and for each additional half-ounce or fraction thereof, 
three cents. 

All packages containing matter not in itself chargeable with 
letter postage, but in which is enclosed or concealed any letter, 
memorandum, or other thing chargeable with letter postage, or 
upon which is any writing or memorandum; and manuscripts 
for publication in newspapers, magazines, or periodicals — 
three cents for each half-ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of 
packages hmited to four pounds. 

On local or drop letters, at offices where free delivery by car¬ 
riers is established, two cents for each half ounce or fraction 
thereof; and where free delivery has not been established, one 
cent for each half ounce or fraction thereof. 

On seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots and scions, one cent for each 
two ounces or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to 
four pounds. 

On pamphlets and occasional publications, all transient 
printed matter, unsealed circulars, book manuscripts, proof 
sheets, corrected proof sheets, maps, prints, engravings, etc., 
one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof. Weight of 
packages limited to four pounds. 

On samples of ores, metals, minerals, and merchandise, two 
cents for each two ounces or fraction thereof. Weight ol pack¬ 
ages limited to twelve ounces. 

On books, two cents for each two ounces or fraction thereof. 
Weight of packages limited to four pounds. 

18 (373) 


274 


RATES OF POSTAGE IN THE UNITED STATES. 


All domestic imiil-mcitter, except newspapers, magazines, 
and periodicals sent to actual subscribers from a known office 
of publication, must be prepaid by postage stamps affixed 
thereto. 

All wholly unpaid matter upon which postage is chargeable 
will be sent to the Dead Letter Office. 

The following are the quarterly rates of postage, when paid 
quarterly or yearly in advance, on newspapers and periodicals 
issued once a week or more frequently, and sent to actual sub¬ 
scribers from a known office of publication: 



Weekly. 

Semi- 

Weekly. 

Tri¬ 

weekly. 

1 6 times a 

j week. 

j Daily. 

Newspapers and periodicals each: 

Cents 

Cents 

Cents 

Cents 

Cents 

Not exceeding 4 ounces in weight sent to any part of the 
United States...-. 

5 

10 

15 

30 


Exceeding 4 ounces and less than 8 ounces.. 

10 

20 

30 

60 

W 

“ 8 “ “ “ “ 12 - .. 

15 

30 

45 

90 

105 

“ 12 “ “ “ “ 16 “ . 

20 

40 

60 

120 

140 


Newspapers of small size, issued less frequently than once a 
week, may be sent in packages to one address, at the rate of 
one cent for each package not exceeding four ounces in weight, 
and an additional charge of one cent for each additional four 
ounces or fraction thereof, the postage to be paid quarterly or 
yearly in advance. 

The following are the quarterly rates of postage, when paid 
quarterly or yearly in advance, on newspapers and periodicals 
issued less frequently than once a week, and sent to actual sub¬ 
scribers from a known office of publication: 


Newspapers, magazines and other periodicals sent 
to any part of the United States each when not ex¬ 
ceeding 4 ounces in weight. 

Exceeding 4 ounces and less than 8 ounces.. 

“ 8 “ “ “ “ 12 “ . 

“ 12 “ .. 16 “ . 

“ 16 “ “ “ “ 20 “ . 


Semi- 

Monthly. 

Monthly. 

Quarterly. 

Cents per 

Cents per 

Cents per 

quarter. 

quarter. 

quarter. 

6 

3 

1 

12 

6 

2 

18 

9 

3 

24 

12 

4 

30 

15 

5 































FOREIGN POSTAGE. 


275 


FOEEIGN POSTAGE. 


FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

Letters 
per Y2 oz. 

News pa¬ 
pers not 
exceedV 
4 oz. 

Alexandria, Egypt, British closed mail via Southampton. 

16 

10 

16 

22 
t20 
t 6 
t 7 
t 6 
t 8 

10 

4 

AspinwalJ, U.B. packet*______ 

2 

4 

Australia, British mail via Southampton... 

“ “ Brindisi.*... 

8 

12 

3 

4 

3 

“ German mail, direct, via Brindisi. 

Austria, including Hungary, German mail, direct. 

“ “ “ " 4k closed mail via England. 

Belgium, by direct steamers___ 

“ via Great Britain____ 

4 

Bermuda, U. S. packet*... 

0 

Brazil.!....... 

15 

3 

“ British mail..... 

28 

4 

British Columbia (Letters unpaid 10 cents i^er ^4 oz.) . 

Canada, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland (unpaid 10c. ^ *4 oz.) 

Postal Cards to Canada or British Columbia one cent extra. 
Central Am erica* _ - . __ _ 

t 6 
t 6 

10 

2 

0 

0 

Chili, via Panama _ 

22 

4 

(Ihina,, via San Francisco __ _ 

10 

0 

“ “ Southampton_ .. _ 

28 

6 

“ n ■Rrindisi _ _ __ 

34 

8 

Constantinople, Cerman mall, direct . _ 

10 

6 

44 “ cloRcd mall, via England _ __ 

11 

7 

Fiiha TT S. nacket* .. ___ 

10 

2 


7 

4 

East India, British, via San Francisco. 

44 44 44 British mail, via. Southampton ___ 

10 

6 

44 44 44 44 44 44 BrindlSl _ . _ 

28 

8 

T^mnrlnr . 

20 

*2 

A loT'ci-nrlrin ’Rritlftll mM.il. VIM. SonthMlllDtOll ___ 

20 

6 

■R'oi’i.- 1,1 n Toionria TiiMtiah mail via. Sonthamnton _ 

16 

4 


10 

0 


t 6 

3 


t 7 

4 

Postal Cards to Germany one cent additional. 

16 

4 

r’i,a«l- 44 44 44 44 _ ___ 

16 

4 


t 6 

2 


tl4 

9 


10 

2 


10 

2 

Hawaiian Islands, U. S. packet (Newspapers one cent per ounce)- 

Holland _ 

6 

10 

'4 


18 

4 

X AOUcl VX cv kj A* A XIO111 tl — _ TT C * 

Hong Kong, including Canton, Amoy, Swatow, and Foo-Chow, U. b. 

10 

2 


28 

6 

Ilong Ivong, ±>ritisjti man, via ouuiiiiiuipLvu-.------- 

tio 

4 


10 

0 

tlMlIlUiCH, U* paCKCt 

10 

-- 


28 

6 

Java, Britisu man, via oouuiciniptuii — ..- 

til 

7 

Jerusalem, Grermaii man, iintjct-——-- 

tl2 

8 

** C1086U., via - ----- ------------ 

16 

4 

Malta, British mail, via ooutnampiou . 

10 

3 

Mexico, U. b. packet (oy sea; .. -.-. 

16 

4 

Morocco, British mail, via &ouiuampLou . 

28 

4 

Natal, “ . 

Netherlands, same as Holland. 

6 

16 

16 

2 

A 

New South Wales, British mail, via Southampton . 

4 

4 

New Zealand __ -- 

10 

4 

Norway, via England and C/iiiistiana - 

Pan ama, U. S. P^^ket -. - - ---------- . 

10 

18 

2 

4 

ParaeruaVs UjS. packet. (JNewspapers ‘XceiitB eacu; . 

Peru; British mail, via Panama. “ “ . 

22 

16 

4 

6 


Portugal, British mail, via Southampton 








































































276 


REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 


FOREIGN POSTAGE— Continued. 


FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 


Prince Edward Island (Unpaid letters 10 cents each ^ oz) 

Russia, German mail, direct. 

“ closed mail, via England.. 

Sandwich Islands (Newspapers one cent per two ounces).. 

Shanghai, U. S. packet.. 

Sierra Leone, British mail, via Southampton.. 

Spain, German mail, direct.... 

“ via New Orleans*. 

Sweden and Norway, by direct steamers for U. S.. 

Sweden, via England and Christiana.. 

Switzerland, via England. 

“ “ Germany. 

Vancouver’s Island (Letters, if unpaid, 10 cents per (4 oz.) 
West Indies, except otherwise stated, via St. Thomas. 


Letters 
per oz. 

News pa¬ 
pers not 
excecd'g 
4 oz. 

6 

2 

10 

6 

til 

7 

6 

— 

10 

2 

16 

4 

11 

6 

10 

2 

t 6 

2 

9 

4 

tio 

4 

t 8 

3 

t 6 

2 

18 

4 


* Denotes that the postage is the United States postage only, which must be prepaid 
on matter sent and collected on matter received. 

t Denotes that prepayment of postage is optional ; in all other cases it is compul. 
sory. 

Great Britain and Ireland.— Letters wholly unpaid or insufflciently prepaid are 
subject on delivery, in addition to the deficient postage, to a fine of 6 cents in the United 
States and 3 d. in Great Britain. Book manuscript and corrected proof may be sent at 
book-packet rate of postage. 


CHAPTER XL[. 

REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 

registered letters. 

AVitliiu the last few years the Registered Letter Department 
has grown to enormous proportions. In former times the 
registering of a letter was only a notice to those handling 
it that it was valuable, the process being to simply paste a Reg¬ 
istered Letter Bill to the letter and place it among the ordinary 
letters. If any officer was dishonest and wanted the letter, all 
he had to do was to take it and destroy the bill, and the chances 
of detection were very slight. Tlie fee was small and the 
safety smaller. Under the new system which has been in ope¬ 
ration some few years, and is copied from England, the safe 
























REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 


277 


transmission and delivery of money and valuables is almost 
certain. Only letters or other mail matter on which letter 
rates of postage are fully pre]iaid can be registered. Each 
postmaster is furnished with all the proper blanks, including 
the package envelopes and seals. The latter is a large whitish 
orown envelope, longer and broader than an ordinary official 
size envelope, and ‘‘Registered Letter” printed in large red 
letters across the face. The seal is similar to a postage stamp, 
only larger, and is placed over the lap after the envelope is 
sealed, and then cancelled. When a letter is presented for 
registration at any post office, the postmaster must require 
that the name and post office address of the writer thereof be 
endorsed on its face; he must also see that the postage, as well 
as the fee for registering, is fully prepaid by stamps affixed to 
such letter; he will then fill out a receipt, entering thereon the 
number of the letter, the date and name of his office, the name 
and address of the writer, and the address of the letter, 
sign and deliver it to the person presenting the letter. The 
postmaster then makes out his “ registered letter bill ” 
and “ return registered letter bill ” each of which con¬ 
tains a full description of the letter consisting of address 
and number. The registered letter bill is then placed in 
the package envelope with the letter. The package is then 
sealed up and the name of the post office for which it is des¬ 
tined, and the number and stamp of the mailing office are 
plainly marked upon the package. It is then ready for deliv¬ 
ery to the route agent or postal clerk upon whose route it 
properly belongs, who is required to give a receipt for it, and 
also to keep a complete record of it, as are all officers of the 
Department who handle registered matter in transit. He must 
also take a receipt from the officer to whom he next delivers 
the package. The return registered letter bill is sent in an 
ordinary envelope in the regular mail to the office of final 
destination, which will, by reason of the fact that no registered 
letters are sent in tlirough mails, and only in charge of postal 
clerks upon day trains, nearly always reach the office in advance 


278 


REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 


of the registered letter; and the postmaster, then knowing 
that such letter is on the way, is on the lookout for it, and if it 
comes in due time signs the receipt and returns it to the 
mailing office. All this is done for a fee of only eight cents 
in addition to the regular postage. 

If a registered letter should not reach its destination in a 
reasonable length of time after the receipt of the return hill, 
the post master will notify the post master at the mailing office 
of the non-receipt of the letter. It then becomes the duty of 
the last mentioned officer to inform a special agent of the fact, 
who will make out what is called a “ tracer,’’ which is a com¬ 
plete description of the letter, with blank space for each per¬ 
son who handled the original letter to state, from his records 
and receipts, exactly what disposition he made of it and whose 
receipt he holds; he then passes it along to the next. Thus by 
this complete chain of records and receipts, though it may 
reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a registered letter may 
be readily traced to its final destination, or until the records 
cease. If a break should occur in the chain and the loss be 
fastened upon any post office or mail agent, the case is rigidly 
“ investigated ” by the proper officer, and if it appears that 
the loss occurs through carelessness, the loser is made to pay 
the value of the lost letter, and receive a severe reprimand, 
and if it should occur again is very apt to be dismissed the 
service. If the special detective is convinced that the missing 
letter is stolen, he then takes a difierent course and commences 
his system of “ decoys,” etc., to catch the thief, and is almost 
always successful, as the man who robs the mails always 
becomes careless, and grows bolder with each repetition of the 
offense. 

The amount and extent of the registered letter business may 
be judged when it is stated that during the month of January, 
1874, at the post office in New York over sixty thousand reg¬ 
istered letters were received, nearly thirty thousand of which 
were for delivery in the city, and the rest for otlier places, New 
York being a distributing office. 


RE(^IS^rERED AND DEAD LETTERS. 


279 


DEAD LETTERS. 

About all that people know or understand of the workings 
of the Dead Letter bureau of the Post Office Department is 
that if a letter is not delivered in due time it is sent to the 
Dead Letter Office, and there opened and returned to the 
writer. When, each year, they see the report of the Postmaster 
General, the amount of money and number of letters that are 
returned to the senders seems enormous, but when it is con¬ 
sidered that millions of letters and thousands of dollars are 
carried and safely delivered correctly each year in the United 
States, the number that fails of delivery, by contrast, does not 
seem so great. During the month of November, 1873, nearly 
ten millions of letters were received and dispatched in New 
York City. 

Every effort is always made to return money or any arti¬ 
cles of value which may be found in dead letters. It is 
required that everything valuable shall be registered free when 
returned to the owners; but if for any reason it cannot be 
delivered to the rightful owner, it is held in the Department 
subject to the owners control for four years, and after that time 
it is conveyed to the Treasury, and goes towards decreasing the 
annual deficit in the Post Office Department. All letters 
which are properly stamped and addressed, and go to their des¬ 
tination, but are not delivered at the end of one week, by reason 
of the person addressed not being found, are advertised, either 
by })ublishing once in a daily or weekly paper, or by posting 
the list in a conspicuous place in the office. At the end of 
four weeks all then undelivered are sent to the dead letter office. 
The matter of advertising in newspapers is left to the discre¬ 
tion of the Postmaster General, and it is but few of the larger 
offices that are allowed to do so. The compensation is fixed by 
law at one cent for each letter, which is to be paid by the per 
son receiving the letter; but by reason of the fact that by far 
the larger portion of those advertised are not delivered, the 
expense is so great that but few offices can be allowed to adver¬ 
tise. All letters which are dropped into an office without 


280 


ATTORNEY GENERAL. 


stamps or only part paid, or the address is not readable, are 
sent at once to the Dead Letter office, except in some few 
offices where a bulletin board is provided for the purpose of 
displaying to the public letters of this character. When a 
letter which is wholly or in part unpaid, and upon which the 
address is legible, is found to contain a valuable enclosure a 
printed circular is sent to the party addressed requesting that 
the requisite amount of postage be forwarded in stamps and 
the letter will be forwarded to its proper address. 

A great many articles which are of value only to the send¬ 
ers or the persons for whom they are intended, such as little 
baby shoes, stockings, photographs, etc., etc., find their way to 
the Dead Letter office. Special efibrt is always made to deliver 
things of this character. Perhaps the little shoe or stocking 
may have belonged to some little one whose feet are still for¬ 
ever, and is being sent to a grandmother or some other near 
relation as a memento of the little one that is gone. Such 
;j’ticles as this may be of no possible value to anyone but the 
owners, but the post office authorities make as great an effort, 
even greater to deliver this class of articles, than they do 
money or jewels. At the present time in the Dead Letter 
office are great stores of small articles of very little or no 
value to any hut the owners, waiting to be called for. 


CHAPTEK XLII. 

ATTOPNEY GENEKAL. 

It will be readily perceived that, in a country developing so 
rapidly as ours, producing, thereby, an almost unbroken series 
of new situations, requiring a cautious application of old 
laws and the constant enactment of new ones, and so, a danger 
of confusion of legislative rules, that the President and his 



ATTOENEY GENERAL. 


281 


Cabinet would need a legal adviser of eminent ability, and of 
extensive acquirements in legal affairs, to give instruction and 
counsel on various lines of action contemplated by the execu¬ 
tive branch of the government, and of the lawful course to be 
taken in the numerous particular cases constantly coming up 
for determination. Besides, various suits require to be insti¬ 
tuted or defended in the courts, by the government, and some 
officer is needed to prosecute or defend them in its name and 
interest. 

To answer these requirements, the office of Attorney Gen¬ 
eral was created by the first Congress in 1789. He is a member 
of the Cabinet, is nominated by the President, and confirmed 
by the Senate, and is removable at the pleasure of the Presi¬ 
dent. He has an assistant and various clerks to aid him in the 
discharge of his responsible duties. 

By an act passed in 1861 he is made Superintendent of all 
the Attorneys and Marshals in all the Judicial Districts of the 
United States. His office is at the seat of Government. 

The following is a complete list of the Attorneys General: 

ATTORNEYS GENERAL. 

Edmund Kandolph, Va., Sept. 26, 1789. 

William Bradford, Pa., June 27,1794. 

Charles Lee, Va., Dec. 10, 1795. 

T. Parsons, Mass., Feb. 20, 1800. 

Levi Lincoln, Mass., March 5, 1801. 

Kobert Smith, Md., March 2, 1805. 

John Breckinridge, Ky., Dec. 1806. 

Cfesar A. Rodney, Del., Jan. 20, 1807. 

William Pinckney, Md., Dec. 11, 1811. 

Richard Rush, Pa., Feb. 10, 1814. 

William Wirt, Md., Dec. 16, 1817. 

John McPherson Berrien, Ga., Mar. 9, 1829. 

Roger B. Taney, Md., July 20, 1831. 

Benjamin F. Butler, H. 1 ., Nov. 15, 1833. 

Felix Grundy, Tenn., July 7, 1838. 


282 


PEESIDENTIAL ELECTC>RS. 


Henry D. Gilpin, Pa., Jan. 11, 1840. 
John J. Crittenden, Xy., Mar. 5, 1841. 
Hugh S. Legare, S. C., Sept. 13, 1841. 
John Nelson, Md., July 1,1843. 

John Y. Mason, Ya., Mar. 5, 1845. 
Nathan Clifford, Me., Oct. 16, 1846. 
Isaac Toucey, Ct., Jan. 21, 1848. 
Heverdy Johnson, Md., Mar. 7, 1849. 
John J. Crittenden, Ky., July 20, 1850. 
Caleb Cushing, Mass., Mar. 5, 1853. 
Jeremiah S. Black, Pa., Mar. 6, 1857. 
Edwin M. Stanton, Pa., Dec. 14, 1860. 
Edward Bates, Mo., Mar. 5, 1861. 
Janies Speed, Ky., Dec. 1864. 

Henry Stanberry, O., July, 1866. 
William M. Evarts, N. Y., 1868. 

Eben E. Hoar, March 5, 1869. 

Amos T. Akerman, Ga., July 8, 1870. 
George H. Williams, Oregon, 1871. 


CHAPTEK XLITI. 
PEESIDENTIAL ELECTOES. 

An Elector, in the sense of the Constitution, is one who 
has been appointed to clioose or elect the President of the 
United States. Electors have been chosen in various ways. At 
first they were often appointed by the State Legislatures, or 
tliese passed a law directing their election by the people. This 
has gradually disappeared, and now the people, by law of Con¬ 
gress assemble on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in 
November preceding the (tlose of a presidential term, and vote for 
the electors. The electors in each State are called its Electoral 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 


283 


College. Tliej meet on the first W ednesday in December fol¬ 
lowing their election, in their respective States, and vote by 
ballot for a President and Vice-President. These cannot both, 
according to the Constitution, be citizens of the same State, 
They county certify, and seal these votes and send the sealed 
package by a messenger, appointed for that express purpose, to 
the President of the United States Senate. On the second 
Wednesday in February following, the members of the Senate 
and House of Representatives assemble together, the pack¬ 
ages are opened and the votes counted in their presence, and 
the result is officially proclaimed. It is evident that this is 
now a mere form, and the President and Vice-President are 
virtually determined by the people in November. It is notin 
harmony with the other parts of our system of government, 
which aims at simplicity and practical usefulness, and it will 
probably soon be dispensed with. It was originally designed, 
by those who framed the Constitution, to act as a check to 
party spirit, and was expected to serve a very useful pur¬ 
pose. They felt the great importance attaching to the office 
of Chief Magistrate, on whom they had conferred so much 
power, and thought, by this means, to raise his election above 
disturbing influences. It was not expected that the candidates 
for those offices would come in question, in the popular elec¬ 
tions. The choice was designed to be left with the electors, 
with whom, being chosen by the people for that purpose, it was 
supposed they would feel safe in leaving it. It was believed 
that a select body of eminent men would act with more pru¬ 
dence and wisdom tlian the people at large. But the people 
felt themselves competent to judge for themselves, and have, 
like imperious sovereigns, imposed their choice on the Electors, 
so that that part of our constitutional machinery has become 
a dead letter. The people know their own minds better, and 
are more resolute in imposing their will on their representa¬ 
tives than was expected; and they have favorably disappointed 
the best hopes of those who believed most in thei/ discretion. 
So we see that the failure of the Electoral System, planned 


284 


PEESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 


by the Fathers of the Kepublic, is an honorable commentary 
on the ability of the people for self-government. 

Their success in making their own choice authoritative has 
led them to overlook the incongruity of the system, so that 
they have never resolutely required it to be abolished. Per¬ 
haps the idea that it might be useful in some important crisis 
of national affairs has had an influence to prevent interference 
with it. As its retention is attended with considerable expense, 
when questions of Economy come to take a leading place in 
public policy it is likely to be laid aside, in form, as well as 
in fact. 

The elections for President, Congressmen, Governors of the 
States and their Legislatures, determining the general policy 
of the government, and the class of men who shall be appointed 
to the various minor otfices under its control; those who feel a 
strong interest in that policy from their judgment of its 
effect on the welfare of the country, or their desire to promote 
special measures; and those who are anxious to obtain or hold 
oflice, are very warmly interested in them. They divide into 
parties according to their views and exert themselves to the 
utmost to influence the result. 

Most human affairs have their good and bad side, and this 
is not an exception. This party warmth is useful in causing 
discussion, examination, and thought, and stirring up the 
people to a careful study of their institutions and the princi¬ 
ples of government, and tlie effect which particular measures 
may have on the public welfare. Its tendency, in this direc¬ 
tion is, to make all the people statesmen—a point of the high¬ 
est importance in a free government, where the People are 
Sovereign. The disadvantage is, that it often awakens an 
undue degree of passion and prejudice, the parties and men who 
are candidates for office abuse and misrepresent each other in 
order to destroy each others influence, when, perhaps, they are 
equally in earnest in seeking the good of the country. For 
this there is no apparent remedy, but in the intelligence and 
good sense of the ])eopie themselves. They must learn to be 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


285 


caretul and candid in their judgment of men and measures, 
and to examine all sides of a question before rendering a 
decision. All should strive toward this intelligent moderation 
during important elections. 


CHAPTER XLIV. 

THE HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 

The Presidents of the Continental Congress—as the Legisla¬ 
tive body of the United States was called up to 1789, when the 
new Constituion went in effect—were chosen by its members, 
which then consisted of only one House, in the same manner 
as the Speaker of the House of Representatives is chosen now; 
nor was his authority more extensive. He was simply the 
presiding officer of a legislative body; and one that had by no 
means the effective authority of our present Congress, although 
no body in the world ever more deserved the gratitude and 
reverence of all time; for it founded and gave direction 
and character to a great nation—it may be, the greatest the 
world will ever know. 

These Presidents had little, except the name, in common 
with the Presidents of the United States, as the Constitution 
made them. The Presidents were now to be appointed by 
the people, and become the depositaries of the Power of the 
Nation in Action. It was fit that, in a government deriving 
all its authority from the People, as the source of power, its 
Special Agent, its acting Representative, should be chosen by 
them. 

In the summer of 1788 three-fourths of the States had 
ratified the Constitution, and it became authoritative as the 
Fundamental Law of the country. The Continental Congress, 
therefore, closed its own career by ordering elections for the 



286 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


new Congress, and for the electors who were to appoint the first 
President. It directed that these elections should take place 
on the first Wednesday in January, 1789; that the electors should 
meet on the first Wednesday in February following, to discharge 
the duty to which they were appointed; and that, on the first 
Wednesday in Marcli, (which, in that year, was the fourth,) 
Congress should meet, tlie President be inaugurated, and the 
new government be put in operation. 

This brought all these important events close upon the heels 
of one another; and on the 4th of March there was not a 
quorum of the Members of Congress assembled. The States 
lay far apart, and the roads were bad in those times, and at that 
season of the year. Though a bare quorum had gathered by 
the last of March, and many measures of pressing necessity 
were attended to, a full representation was waited for before 
the President elect was notified that they were ready for his 
inauguration; and that event took place only on the 30th of 
April. The presidential term, however, was considered to have 
legally commenced at the time previously ordered, and closed 
on that day of the year and month; so that it became the first 
day of our political year. It commences and closes the Presi¬ 
dent’s term of office and ends the regular session of Congress 

First Election, 1789. 

There were but 69 electors, and the choice of George Wash¬ 
ington for President, and John Adams for Yice-President, was 
unanimous. He had declared, when resigning his commission 
as commander-in-chief, that he took leave ‘^of all the employ¬ 
ments of public life,” and only the earnest solicitations of the 
leading public men of the time, and their opinion that he 
alone could successfully inaugurate the new government, 
decided him to leave his cherished retirement. Washington’s 
ambition was known to be free from spot or stain of self seek¬ 
ing, and his moderation and judgment were trusted in as the 
slieet anchor of a new goyernment which many feared would 
become too strong for the liberties of the people. They 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 287 

dreaded an abuse of power; but they had no fear of such 
abuse while wielded by Washington. There was a solid foun¬ 
dation to Washington’s fame, in his character. 

The presidential electors were mainly chosen by the State 
legislatures during the times immediately following the adop¬ 
tion of the Constitution. That instrument did not decide how 
they should be chosen, but left it to the discretion of the State 
governments. In some States conventions chose them, and the 
practice was various; but after a time it proved to be more 
satisfactory to refer the choice directly to the people, and very 
soon the people themselves practically selected the President, 
the electors being pledged to the choice of the candidate 
favored by their constituents, so that their significance was 
lost. It is a proof of the popular character of our government. 
The system of electors indicated a fear of the people; a want 
of confidence in their judgment and self control. The elect¬ 
ors, it was supposed, would be wiser, less accessible to passion 
and caprice than those who elected them. The people set 
them quietly aside, and proceeded to do their own work them¬ 
selves, using the electors only to register their decision. Public 
men have seldom ventured to oppose the clearly formed and 
definite purposes of the people. 

The Second Election, 1792. 

Washington was again unanimously elected. He desired to 
lay down the burdens of office; but so many perplexing 
questions and disturbing influences threatened the stability of 
the government that he could not be spared. His name and 
character were a rock of strength. John Adams was re-elected 
Vice-President. Only 11 States had voted at the first election; 
North Carolina and Rhode Island not having then ratified the 
Constitution. They had now done so, and Vermont and Ken¬ 
tucky had been admitted, so that there were 15 States voting 
at this election. There were 132 electors. Washington 
declined another election absolutely, and the government had 
proved so suitable as to be fairly settled in the confidence of 
the people. 


288 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


The Third Election, 1796. 

Four persons were voted for at this election. 

John Adams received 71 electoral votes. 

Thomas Jefferson “ 69 “ 

Thomas Pinckney “ 59 “ “ 

Aaron Burr “ 38 ‘‘ “ 

As, by the Constitutional provision regarding electors, the 
person having the largest number of votes became President, 
and the one who had the next in number became Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, Adams was now President, and Jefferson Vice-Presi¬ 
dent. Tennessee had now been admitted into the Union, and 
there were 16 States voting. 

Conflicting views on foreign policy, and vexing questions of 
internal administration began to exert a strong influence, and 
party spirit, for the next twenty years, was very bitter. Mr. 
Adams was a Federalist; Mr. Jefferson was an anti-Federalist. 

The Fourth Election, 1800. 

The same candidates were again in the field. The political 
parties had become clearly defined. Adams and Pinckney 
were the Federal candidates, receiving—Adams, 64, Pinckney 
63, electoral votes, while Jefferson and Burr had each 73. 
They were of the anti-Federal, or Kepublican party. 

The election did not decide which of the two, Jefferson or 
Burr, should be President and Vice-President, and, by the 
provisions of the Constitution, the House of Pepresentatives 
decided it in favor of Jefferson. Party heats were so great 
that it took 7 days and 36 ballots to reach this result. It was 
felt that there was a defect in the Constitutional provision that 
left it undecided, in such a case, which of the candidates was 
the choice of the electors for President, and it resulted in the 
ratification of the 12th amendment before the next election. 

The Federal party never regained the power of adminis¬ 
tration lost at this election, though they continued to be a 
strong opposition until the close of the war of 1812. But 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


289 


an opposition, to criticize and point out faults, is often more 
useful out of office than in; and the Eepublican party was 
obliged to adopt substantially the general features of the 
policy pursued by their predecessors, while they added some 
very important ones of their own, in their disposition to 
favor popular rights. 

The Fifth Election, 1804. 

Thomas Jeffierson and George Clinton were the candidates 
of the Bepublicans. Charles C. Pinckney and Kufus King of 
the Federalists. 

Jefferson was popular, and received 162 votes—Clinton 
receiving the same. Pinckney and King received only 14 
votes. The admission of Ohio, in 1802, made 17 States to 
vote at this election. 

The Federal party was much weaker than in the following 
election. 

The Sixth Election, 1808. 

James Madison was the Eepublican candidate for Presi¬ 
dent, and Geo. Clinton for Yice-President. Pinckney and 
King were again candidates on the part of the Federalists. 

Madison received 123 electoral votes. 

Clinton “ 113 “ “ 

Pinckney and King each, 47 “ ^ 

Geo. Clinton died before the end of his term. There was the 
same number of States voting as in the previous election, 
viz.: 17. 

The Seventh Election, 1812. 

Madison was re-elected, with Elbridge Gerry as Yice-Presi¬ 
dent. They each received 128 electoral votes. 

De Witt Clinton and Jared Ingersoll, the candidates of the 
Federal party, received, Clinton 89, Ingersoll 57, votes. Louis¬ 
iana having been recently admitted into the Union, there 
were now 18 States. 

War with England was formally declared this year. It had 
19 


290 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


actually beg'un on the ocean sometime before. It was a very 
trying and painful presidential term, owing to the violent 
and injudicious opposition made to the measures of the govern¬ 
ment, and the unfortunate choice of generals for the tirst two 
years; yet the ultimate result was highly creditable to the 
standing and reputation of the United States, and put an 
end to the annoying and insulting interferences with our 
vessels and commerce that had brought it on. It was a war 
waged for the honor and inviolability of our Flag, which was 
ever after duly respected. 

The Eighth Election, 1816. 

James Monroe and Daniel D. Tompkins were the candidates 
of the Kepublicans, who now began to be called Democrats. 
The Federalist party was now near its end. It nominated 
Rufus King who received 34 electoral votes, Monroe obtain¬ 
ing 183. 

Indiana was admitted this year in time to vote, making 19 
States. This period marked an important era in the internal 
history, as well as foreign relations, of the country. The 
period of trial for the Constitution was passed, and full confi¬ 
dence began to be felt in the system it had founded. 

The ISTinth Election, 1820. 

Monroe and Tompkins were re-elected, the vote being sub¬ 
stantially unanimous, for the first and last time since Wash¬ 
ington. The close of this term made the Republican rule in 
the administration 24 years in succession, under three Presi¬ 
dents, each once re-elected, and all citizens of Virginia. 

Four new States had been admitted during the previous 
term, viz.: Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, and Maine, so that 
23 States took part in this election. 

The Tenth Election, 1824. 

Four candidates were in the field for the presidency at this 
election. Missouri having been admitted since the ninth elec- 


HISTORY 0 ¥ PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 291 

tion there were 24 States to vote. The whole number of electors 
was 261; necessary to a choice, 131. 

The candidates and votes were as follows: 


Andrew Jackson. 99 

John Quincy Adams. 84 

Wm. H. Crawford. 41 

Henry Clay. 31 


By the Constitution the House of Representatives was 
required to select the President from the 3 candidates having 
the highest number of votes. They were to vote by States, 
and a majority of States would elect. J. Q. Adams received 
the vote of 13 States, and was declared elected. John C. Cal¬ 
houn having received 182 electoral votes for the Vice-Presi¬ 
dency, was thereby elected to that office. 18 of the States 
appointed the electors by popular vote and 6 appointed them 
by their legislatures. 

The Eleventh Election, 1828. 

Andrew Jackson was elected President, and John C. Cal¬ 
houn re-elected Vice-President. 

John Quincy Adams and Richard Rush were also candidates 
for President and Vice-President, respectively. The contest 
was very hot and bitter. Jackson received 178, and Adams 
171 electoral votes. The Popular vote was 650,028 for Jack- 
son to 512,158 for Adams. The number of electors was the 
same as in the 10 th election. The most violent excitement 
divided the north and the south on the tariff question, which 
culminated during this term in the “ nullification ordinance,” 
which Jackson met with the decision and vigor for which he 
was distinguished, ending in the submission of the nullifiers. 
Calhoun resigned his office as Vice-President, Dec. 28th, 
1832. He was the leader of the nullifiers. 

The Twelfth Election, 1832. 

Jackson’s vigorous dealing with nullification was highly 
approved by the people, and he was re-elected, with Martin 
Van Buren as Vice-President. , 






292 


HISTOEY OF PKESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


Henry Clay was the candidate of the Whig party for Presi¬ 
dent, and John Sergeant for Vice-President. 

Jackson received 682,502 popular, and 219 electoral votes. 

Clay “ 550,189 “ “ 49 

Jackson’s majority 132,313 170 

Van Buren received 189 electoral votes for Vice-President. 
Twenty-four States voted at this election. 

The Thieteenth Election, 1836. 

Van Buren was run, by the Democrats, for the Presidency, 
and Kichard M. Johnson for the Vice-Presidency, against Win. 
H. Harrison, Hugh L. White, Daniel Webster, and W. P. 
Mangum. Van Buren’s vote was 762,149 popular, and 170 
electoral. Harrison and the others united was 736,736 popu¬ 
lar, and 124 electoral. The whole number of electors being 
294, the number necessary to a choice was 148. Johnson 
failed by one electoral vote to be elected to the Vice-Presidency, 
and the case went to the Senate for decision, as directed by the 
Constitution. The remaining electoral votes for Vice-Presi¬ 
dent being divided between 3 candidates, Johnson was appointed 
by the Senate. 

Michigan and Arkansas having been admitted this year took 
part in the election, making 26 States. 

The Fotjeteenth Election, 1840. 

The Whig party this year concentrated on Wm. H. Harri¬ 
son for President, and John Tyler for Vice-President. 

The Democrats opposed them with Van Buren and Johnson 
again. The country had been passing through a financial 
crisis of extreme severity during the thirteenth presidential 
term, and this election, involving the decision of a financial 
policy, was very exciting. 

Harrison was an Ohio farmer, and, the Democrats said, 
“ lived in a log cabin and drank hard cider.” The Whigs took 
the hint, built log cabins to hold their campaign gatherings in, 
drank much hard cider, and sung stirring political songs. 



HISTOKY OF PEESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


293 


Harrison’s popular vote was 1,274,783—his electoral vote 234 
Van Buren’s “ “ ‘‘ 1,128,702 “ ‘‘ 60 

Majority, 46,081 174 

Tyler’s vote as Vice-President was the same as Harrison’s. 

Harrison died on the 4th of April, one month after his 
inauguration, and John Tyler succeeded to the Presidency. His 
term was made remarkable by his disagreement with the meas¬ 
ures of Congress, on financial questions. 

This was the first time a Vice-President had been called on 
to serve as a substitute for the President. There were 26 
States taking part in this election. 

The Fifteenth Election, 1844. 

The slavery question entered into this election as a leading 
point. The lieimblic of Texas asked admission into the Union. 
As it would be certain to be a slave State, and many of the 
people objected to extending that institution while others 
favored it, the parties took it up; the Democrats favoring the 
admission, the Whigs opposing. 

James K. Polk was the candidate for President, and Geo. M. 
Dallas for Vice-President, run by the Democrats. 

The Whigs opposed against them Henry Clay and Theodore 
Frelinghuysen. 

The vote, for Polk and Dallas was 1,335,834, electoral vote 170 
‘‘ “ Clay and Frelinghuysen 1,297,033, “ 105 

Polk and Dallas’ majority, 38,801 65 

This was the third time Mr. Clay had been defeated as a 
candidate for the Presidency, to the great regret of many, even 
of those wdio voted against him. 

The war with Mexico followed as a consequence of the pob 
icy of the United States government, decided upon in this 
election. Texas had formerly been a part of Mexico, and that 
country considered its admission into the Union as an act of 
hostility to herself. 




294 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


Sixteenth Election, 1848. 

The Whigs were successful in this election, owing to a divis¬ 
ion in the ranks of the Democratic party. The Whigs nomi¬ 
nated Gen. Zachary Taylor for President, and Millard Fill¬ 
more for Vice-President; the Democrats Lewis Cass for Presi¬ 
dent, and Wm. O. Butler for Vice-President; the Free Soil 
Democrats—wFo opposed the extension of slavery—Martin 
Van Buren for President, and Charles F. Adams for Vico- 
President. 

The vote resulted thus: 

Taylor and Fillmore’s popular vote 1,362,024, electoral vote 163 
Cass and Butler’s “ ‘‘ 1,222,419, ‘‘ “ 12T 

Van Buren and Adams’ “ 291,678. 

The third ticket secured no electoral votes. 

Four new States had been admitted into the Union since the 
15th election, viz.: Texas, Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin; and 
30 States voted this year. 

Gen. Taylor died July 9th, 1850, one year, four months, and 
four days after his inauguration, and Mr. Fillmore filled out 
his term of office. 

The Seventeenth Election, 1852. 

During the previous Presidential term the subject of slavery, 
and the strategy of politicians in favor of and against it, 
absorbed public attention. The repeal of the Missouri Com¬ 
promise of 1820 opened the whole question, and a trial of 
strength as to which side should occupy the new territory, was 
prepared for. The crisis of preparation had not been reached 
when this election occurred, and comparatively little interest 
was taken in it. 

The Democrats nominated Franklin Pierce for President, 
and Wm. R. King for Vice-President; the Whigs chose as 
their candidates Gen. Winfield Scott for President, and Wm. 
A. Graham for Vice-President. 

Pierce and King received, of popular votes 1,590,490, of 
electoral, 254. Scott and Graham received, of popular votes^ 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


295 


1,378,589, of electoral, 42. Pierce’s majority, on popular vote, 
211,901, on electoral, 212. 

California had been admitted since the 16th election, and 
there were 31 States to vote in this. 

This was the last election in which the Whig party nomi¬ 
nated a candidate. The contest in regard to slave and free ter¬ 
ritory absorbing all the interest of the country, the parties 
were rearranged, those in favor of slavery, or wishing to leave 
that institution undisturbed, gathered to the Democratic party; 
while those wishing to actively oppose the extension of slavery 
to territory not yet occupied by it, united, under the name of 
the Pepublican party, the Whigs becoming extinct, as a party. 

The Eighteenth Election, 1856. 

The Democrats nominated James Buchanan, and John C. 
Breckenridge for President and Vice-President; the Kepubli- 
cans, John C. Fremont and William L. Dayton. A third 
party, in favor of putting only native Americans in office, voted 
for Millard Fillmore and Andrew J. Donnelson. The result 
was the following; 

Popular vote for Buchanan and Breckenridge 1,803,029, 
electoral, 174. Popular vote for Fremont and Dayton 1,342,164, 
electoral, 114. Popular vote for Fillmore and Donnelson, 
874,625, electoral, 8. 

Buchanan had only what is called a plurality popular vote; 
the two others united had a majority over him of 413,760 
votes. A majority of electoral votes, however, was 149, and 
he received 174, and a majority of 52 electoral votes over the 
others united. 

Only 31 States voted at this election. Mr. Buchanan was 
much blamed for not taking more vigorous measures to quench 
the secession movement that commenced in the last months 
of his administration. The contrast between his course and 
Jackson’s in 1832 was very marked. 

The Nineteenth Election, 1860. 

The Pepublican party nominated Abraham Lincoln for 
President, and Hannibal Hamlin for Vice-President. The 


296 


HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 


south, finding it impossible to uphold the slavery extension 
system against the growing Eepublican party, and the com¬ 
promise that had protected that system having been laid aside 
in 1850, must submit to the gradual extinction of slavery, or 
withdraw from the Union. They chose the latter, and favored 
the division of the Democratic party, which was still much 
the largest, into several parts. Three tickets of that party 
were run, against one in the Republican, which assured the 
election of Lincoln. 

The Uortheru Democrats voted mainly for Stephen A. Doug¬ 
las and H. y. Johnson; the Southern Democrats for John 0. 
Breckenridge and Joseph Lane; and those who wished to stop 
the contest on the slavery question altogether, on both sides, 
voted for John Bell and Edward Everett. The result was as 
follows: 

The vote for Lincoln and Hamlin was 1,866,452, electoral 180 

“ “ Douglas and Johnson 1,370,157, “ 72 

“ “ Breckenridge and Lane 847,953, “ 39 

“ Bell and Everett 590,631, ‘‘ 12 

The three divisions of the Democrats together had a popu¬ 
lar majority of 947,289 over the Republicans, but the latter 
had a majority of 57 electoral votes over all the others united. 

Two new States had been admitted since the eighteenth elec¬ 
tion, Minnesota and Oregon, and there were 33 States voting. 
The census of 1860 gave the population as 31,148,048. All the 
votes cast at this election amounted to 4,680,193, the largest 
number by more than 500,000 that had ever been known. The 
Southern States seceded within a few months, and the Civil 
War began. It was remarkable as the most gigantic war of 
its kind, perhaps of any kind, known in history; and for the 
obstinate bravery and resolution displayed on both sides. It 
continued during this entire presidential term. 

The Twentieth Election, 1864. 

The election this year was confined to the States that had 
remained loyal to the Constitution and the Union. Eleven 
States had seceded. 


HISTORY OF PEESIDEHITAL ELECTIONS. 


297 


Tlie Republicans re-nominated Lincoln for President, with 
Andrew Johnson for Vice-President. The Democratic party 
nominated Gen. Geo. B. McClellan for President, and Geo. H. 
Pendleton for Vice-President. The result was as follows: 

The popular vote for Lincoln and Johnson was 2,223,035 
“ McClellan and Pendleton 1,811,754 

Lincoln’s popular majority 411,281 

Electoral votes for Lincoln 212 
“ ‘‘ McClellan 21 

Lincoln’s electoral majority 191 

The total number of popular votes was 4,034,789. Lincoln’s 
vote at this election was the largest that had ever been cast for 
one candidate, though there were less votes cast by all parties by 
600,000 than in the nineteenth election. Two new States, 
Kansas and West Virginia, had been admitted since the pre¬ 
vious election, which with the 11 in rebellion omitted, left 24 
States voting. 

The civil war closed with the submission of the seceded 
States to the general government soon after Lincoln’s re-inaug¬ 
uration ; but he was assassinated about the same time, on the 
evening of April 13th, 1865, and died on the following day, 
leaving a nation in mourning, and the civilized world struck 
with horror. Andrew Johnson acted as President during the 
remainder of this term. Mr. Johnson’s administration was 
marked by the great difference in the policy of reconstructing 
the seceded States adopted by him and by the Congress, by the 
limitations which the latter threw around him, and the attempt 
to impeach him, which failed by a few votes. 

The Twenty-First Election, 1868. 

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was nominated by the Republicans 
for President, and Schuyler Colfax for Vice-President. 

The nominees of the Democratic party were Horatio Sey¬ 
mour and Francis P. Blair. 



298 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 


Grant’s popular majority was 309,588. Questions of recon¬ 
struction and finance were determined by tins election, the 
people upholding the policy pursued by Congress since the 
close of the war. 

The Twenty-Second Election, 1872. 

Grant was nominated by the Republican party for Presi¬ 
dent, and Henry Wilson for Vice-President. The Democrats 
nominated Horace Greeley for President, and B. Gratz Brown 
for Vice-President. A second Democratic party had a ticket, 
nominating Chas. O’Connor and J. Q. Adams. 

Grant’s popular majority was 762,991; and he received 218 
electoral votes. 30 States gave him majorities, Pennsylvania 
reaching 137,000 majority in his favor. The whole popular 
vote at this election was 6,431,149. The colored people voted 
for the first time, under the amendment to the Constitution 
abolishing the distinction in citizenship in regard to color. 

The elections are now held on the same day in all the States, 
by a general law. The number of States voting at the 22d 
election was thirty-seven. This election set a final seal on the 
policy of the Republican party, leaving the country free to 
turn its attention to other questions relating to its internal 
interests. 


CHAPTER XLV. 

CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 

For convenience of reference we insert a list of the members 
of the Cabinet in each administration from 1789 down to 1874, 
to which is added the name of the Vice-President of each 
presidential term, though he is not a member of the Cabinet. 
First Administration, from 1789 to 1797—7 years, 10 months, 

AND 4 DAYS. 

George Washington, Va., President. 

John Adams, Mass., Vice-President. 



CABINETS OF ALL THE PKESIDENTS. 


299 


CABINET. 

Thomas Jefferson, Ya., Secretary of State. 

Edmund Eandolph, Ya., “ 

Timothy Pickering, Mass., “ 

Alexander Hamilton, N. Y., Secretary of the Treasury. 
Oliver Wolcott, Conn., “ “ “ 

Timothy Pickering, Mass., Secretary of War. 

James McHenry, Md., “ “ “ 

Henry Knox, Mass., “ “ 

Second Adminis^iration, 1797 to 1801—4 years. 
John Adams, Mass., President. 

Thomas Jefferson, Ya., Yice-President. 

CABINET. 

Timothy Pickering, Mass., Secretary of State. 

John Marshall, Ya., “ “ “ 

Oliver Wolcott, Ct., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., “ “ 

James McHenry, Md., Secretary of War. 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., “ “ “ 

Eoger Griswold, “ “ ‘‘ 

George Cabot, Mass., Secretary of the Navy. 

Benjamin Stoddert, Md., “ “ 

Third Adminis'pration, 1801 to 1809 —8 years. 
Thomas Jefferson, Ya., President. 

Aaron Burr, N. Y., Yice-President. 

George Clinton, N. Y., 

CABINET. 

James Madison, Ya., Secretary of State. 

Samuel Dexter, Mass., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Albert Gallatin, Pa., “ “ “ 

Henry Dearborn, Mass, Secretary of War. 

Benjamin Stoddert, Md., Secretary of the Navy. 

Eobert Smith, Md., “ ‘C “ 

Fourth Administration, 1809 to 1817 —8 years. 
James Madison, Ya., President. 


300 


CAIilNETS OF ALL THE PRESLDENTS. 


George Clinton, N. Y., Vice-President. 

Elbridge Gerry, Mass., 

CABINET. 

Kobert Smith, Md., Secretary of State. 

James Monroe, Ya., “ “ 

Albert Gallatin, Pa., Secretary of the Treasury. 

George W. Campbell, Tenn., “ “ 

Alexander J. Dallas, Pa., “ “ “ 

William Eustis, Mass., Secretary of War. 

John Armstrong, N. Y., ‘‘ “ “ 

James Monroe, Ya., ‘‘ “ 

William H. Crawford, Ga., “ 

Paul Hamilton, S. C., Secretary of the Havy. 
William Jones, Pa., 

B. W. Crowninshield, Mass. “ “ “ 

Fifth Administration, 1817 to 1825—8 tears. 
James Monroe, Ya., President. 

Daniel D. Tompkins, N. Y., Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

John Q. Adams, Mass., Secretary of State. 

William H. Crawford, Ga., Secretary of the Treasury. 
Isaac Shelby, Ky., Secretary of War. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., “ “ “ 

B. W. Crowninshield, Mass., Secretary of the Navy. 
Smith Thompson, N. Y., “ “ “ 

Samuel L. Southard, K. J., “ “ “ 

Sixth Administration, 1825 to 1829 — 4 years. 
John Q. Adams, Mass., President. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

Henry Clay, Ky., Secretary of State. 

Richard Rush, Pa., Secretary of the Treasury. 

James Barbour, Ya., Secretary of War. 

Peter B. Porter, N. Y., “ “ 

Samuel L. Southard, K. J., Secretary of the Navy. 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 


301 


Seventh Administration, 1829 to 1837—8 years. 
Andrew Jackson, Tenn., President. 

John C. Calhoun, S. C., Vice-President. 

Martin Van Buren, ]^. Y., “ 

CABINET. 

Martin Van Buren, N. Y., Secretary of State. 

Edward Livingston, La., “ “ “ 

Louis McLane, Del., ‘‘ ‘‘ “ 

John Forsyth, Geo., ‘‘ “ “ 

Samuel D. Ingham, Pa., Secretary of the Treasury. 
Louis McLane, Del., “ 

William J. Duane, Pa., “ “ 

Boger B. Taney, Md., “ “ “ 

Levi Woodbury, N. H., “ “ “ 

John H. Eaton, Tenn., Secretary of War. 

Lewis Cass, Mich., “ “ ‘‘ 

Benjamin F. Butler, N. Y., ‘‘ “ 

John Branch, iJ. C., Secretary of the Kavy. 

Levi Woodbury, N. IL, “ “ “ 

Mahlon Dickerson, N. J., “ “ “ 

POSTMASTERS GENERAL, 

And for the first time considered members of the Cabinet, 
John McLean, O. 

William F. Barry, Ky. 

Amos Kendall, Ky. 

Eighth Administration, 1837 to 1841 — I years. 
Martin Van Buren, N. Y., President. 

Kichard M. Johnson, Ky., Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

John Forsyth, Geo., Secretary of State. 

Levi Woodbury, K. H., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Joel B. Poinsett, S. C., Secretary of War. 

Mahlon Dickerson, K. J., Secretary of the Navy. 

James K. Paulding, N. Y., ‘‘ “ ‘‘ 

Amos Kendall, Ky., Postmaster General. 

John M. Niles, Ct., 


302 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 


Ninth Administration', March 4, 1841, to April 4, 1841. 
William Henry Harrison, O., President. 

John Tyler, Ya., Yice-President. 

CABINET. 

Daniel Webster, Mass., Secretary of State. 

Thomas Ewing, O., Secretary of the Treasury. 

John Bell, Tenn., Secretary of War. 

George E. Badger, N. C., Secretary of the Navy. 

Gideon Granger, N. Y., Postmaster General. 

Tenth Administration, April 6 , 1841, to March 4, 1845. 

John Tyler, Ya., (acting) President, by death of Harrison. 

CABINET. 

Daniel Webster, Mass., Secretary of State. 

Abel P. Upshur, Ya., ‘‘ 

John 0. Calhoun, S. C., “ “ 

Thomas Ewing, O., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Walter Forward, Pa., “ “ 

John C. Spencer, N. Y., “ “ ‘‘ 

George M. Bibb, Ky., “ “ “ 

John Bell, Tenn., Secretary of War. 

John C. Spencer, N. Y., “ “ 

James M. Porter, Pa., “ “ 

William Wilkins, Pa., “ 

George E. Badger, N. C., Secretary of the Navy. 

Abel P. Upshur, Ya., “ “ 

David Henshaw, Mass., “ “ ‘‘ 

G. W. Gilmer, Ya., “ 

John Y. Mason, Ya., “ 

Hugh S. Legare, S. C., Attorney-General. 

John Nelson, Md., ‘‘ 


Francis G. Granger, N. Y., Postmaster General. 

Charles A. Wickliffe, Ky., “ 

Eleventh Administration, March 4, 1845, to March 4, 1849. 
4 YEARS. 

James K. Polk, Tenn., President. 

George M. Dallas, Pa., Yice-President. 


CABINETS OF ALI. THi: TRESIDENTS. 


303 


CABINET. 

James Buchanan, Pa., Secretary of State. 

Bobert J. Walker, Miss., Secretary of the Treasury. 

William L. Marcy, N. Y., Secretary of War. 

George Bancroft, Mass., Secretary of the Navy. 

John Y. Mason, Ya., 

Cave Johnson, Tenn., Postmaster General. 

John Y. Mason, Ya., Attorney General. 

Nathan Clifford, Me., “ ‘‘ 

Isaac Toucey, Ct., “ 

Twelfth Administration, March 4, 1849, to July 10, 1850— 
1 YEAR AND 4 MONTHS. 

Zachary Taylor, La., President. 

Millard Fillmore, N. Y., Yice-President. 

CABINET. 

John M. Clayton, Del., Secretary of State. 

George W. Crawford, Geo., Secretary of War. 

AVilliam M. Meredith, Pa., Secretary of the Treasury. 

AVilliam B. Preston, Ya., Secretary of the Navy. 

Thomas Ewing, Ohio, Secretary of the Interior. 

Jacob Collamer, Yt., Postmaster General. 

Beverdy Johnson, Md., Attorney General. 

Thirteenth Administration, July 10,1850, to March 4,1853. 
2 YEARS AND 8 MoNTHS. 

Millard Fillmore, (acting) President by death of Taylor. 
No Yice-President. 

CABINET. 

Daniel Webster, Mass., Secretary of State. 

Thomas Corwin, Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury. 

Charles M. Conrad, La., Secretary of War. 

William A. Graham, N. C., Secretary of the Navy. 

Alexander H. H. Stuart, Ya., Secretary of the Interior. 
Nathan K. Hall, N. Y., Postmaster General. 

John J. Crittenden, Ky., Attorney General. 

Fourteenth Administration, March 4,1853, to March 4,1857. 
Franklin Pierce, N. H., President. 


304 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 


William R. King, of Ala., who was elected Vice-Presi¬ 
dent with Mr. Pierce, but died before he took his seat, and there 
was no Vice-President during Pierce’s administration. 

CABINET. 

William L. Marcy, N. Y., Secretary of State. 

James Guthrie, Ky., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Jefferson Davis, Miss., Secretary of War. 

J. C. Dobbin, N. C., Secretary of the Kavy. 

Robert McClelland, Mich., Secretary of the Interior. 

James Campbell, Pa., Postmaster General. 

Caleb Cushing, Mass., Attorney General. 

Fifteenth Administration, March 4,1857, to March 4, 1861. 
James Buchanan, Pa., President. 

John C. Breckenridge, Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

Lewis Cass, Mich., and Jeremiah S. Black, Pa., Secretaries 
of State. 

Howell Cobb, Ga., Philip F. Thomas, and John A. Dix, 
N. Y., Secretaries of the Treasury. 

John B. Floyd, Va., and Joseph Holt, Ky., Secretaries of 
War. 

Isaac Toucey, Ct., Secretary of the Navy. 

Jacob Thompson, Miss., Secretary of the Interior. 

Aaron V. Brown, Tenn., Joseph Holt, Ky., and Horatio King, 
Postmasters General. 

Jeremiah S. Black, Pa., and Edwin M. Stanton, Pa., Attor¬ 
neys General. 

Sixteenth Administration, March 4,1861, to April 14, 1865, 
4 YEARS, 1 MONTH, AND 10 DAYS. 

Abraham Lincoln, Ill., President. 

Hannibal Hamlin, Me., Vice-President, first term, and An¬ 
drew Johnson, Tenn., Vice-President, second term. 

« 

CABINET. 

William H. Seward, N. Y., Secretary of State. 

Salmon P. Chase, Ohio, William P. Fessenden, Me., Hugh 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PEESIDENTS. 


305 


McCulloch, Ind., Secretaries of the Treasury. 

Simon Cameron, Pa., Edwin M. Stanton, Pa., Secretaries of 
War. 

Gideon Welles, Conn., Secretary of the Navy. 

John P. Usher, Ind., Secretary of the Interior. 

Montgomery Blair, Md., William Dennison, O., Postmas¬ 
ters General. 

Edward Bates, Mo., James Speed, Ky., Attorneys General. 
Seventeenth Administration, April 15,1865, to March 4,1869. 
AndreAv Johnson, acting President. 

No Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

William H. Seward, N. Y., Secretary of State. 

Hugh McCulloch, Ind., Secretary of the Treasury. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Pa., Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., and J. M. Scho¬ 
field, Secretaries of War. 

Gideon Welles, Conn., Secretary of the Navy. 

James Harlan, Iowa, Orville H. Browning, Ill., Secretaries of 
the Interior. 

James Speed, Ky., Henry Stanbery, Ohio, William M. Evarts, 
N. Y., Attorneys General. * 

William Dennison, Ohio, Alexander W. Bandall, Wis., Post¬ 
masters General. 

Eighteenth Administration, March 4,1869, to March 4,1873. 
Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., President. 

Schuyler Colfax, Ind., Vice-President. 

cabinet. 

Elihu B. Washburne, Ill., Secretary of State. 

Hamilton Fish, N. Y., “ ‘‘ “ 

George S. Boutwell, Mass., Secretary of the Treasury. 

John A. Rawlins, Secretary of War. 

William T. Sherman, “ ‘‘ 

William AV. Belknap, “ “ “ . . 

Adolph E. Borie, Pa., Secretary of the Navy. 

George M. Robeson, N. J., “ “ “ 

20 


306 


CABINETS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS. 


Jacob D. Cox, Ohio, Secretary of the Interior. 

Columbus Delano, O., 

J. A. J. Creswell, Md., Postmaster General. 

Eben Pockwood Hoar, Mass., Attorney General. 

Amos T. Akerman, Ga., ‘‘ “ 

Nineteenth Administration, March 4,1873, to March 4,1877. 
Ulysses S. Grant, Ill., President. 

Henry Wilson, Mass., Yice-President. 

CABINET. 

Hamilton Fish, N. Y., Secretary of State. 

W. A. Pichardson, Ill., Secretary of the Treasury. 

B. H. Bristow, Ky., “ “ “ 

W. Belknap, Iowa, Secretary of War. 

George M. Pobeson, N. J., Secretary of the Navy. 

Columbus Delano, Ohio, Secretary of the Interior. 

J. A. J. Creswell, Md., Postmaster General. 

George H. Williams, Oregon, Attorney General. 


UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, 


307 


UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. 

January 10, 18t4. 


The Executive. 

ULYSSES S. GRANT, of Illinois, President of the United States .Salaiy $50,000 

HENRY WILSON, of Massachusetts, Vice-President of the United States^ “ 10,CKX) 


The Cabinet. 

HAMILTON FISH, of New York, Secretary of State .Salary $10,000 

WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Treasury. “ 10 000 

WILLIAM W. BELKNAP, of Iowa, Secretary of War....... .I “ io!o(W 

GEORGE M. ROBESON, of New Jersey, Secretary of the Navy . “ lO 000 

COLUMBUS DELANO, of Ohio, Secretary of the Interior . “ loltKK) 

GEORGE H. WILLIAMS, of Oregon, Attorney-Oeneral . “ 10,000 

JOHN A. J. CRESWELL, of Maryland, Postmaster-General . “ 10,000 


The Judiciary. 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

MORRISON R. WAITE, Chief Justice .Salary $10,500 

Nathan Clifford, of Me., I Stephen J. Associate Justice. 

Noah H. Swayne, of Ohio, “ “ j William M. Strong, of Pa., “ “ 

Samuel F. Miller, of Iowa, “ “ I Joseph P. Bradley, of N.J., “ 

David Davis, of Illinois, “ “ | Ward Hunt, of New York, “ “ 

Salary of Associates $10,000. Court meets first Monday in December, at Washington. 


Ministers to Foreign Countries 

ENVOYS EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY. 


COUNTRY. capital, 

Austria.Vienna. 


MINISTERS. 

.John Jay, N. Y.. 


Chili.Santiago 

China.Pekin ... 

France.Paris_ 

Great Britain.London.. 

Italy.Rome_ 

Mexico.Mexico .. 

Peru.Lima_ 


.Cornelius A. Logan, Kansas... 

-Frederick F. Low, Cal. 

-Elihu B. Washburne, Ill_ 

-Robert C. Schenck, Ohio... 


Russia...St. Petei 

Spain.Madrid. 


MINISTERS RESIDENT. 
Argentine Republic..-Buenos Ayres.. .Julius White, Ill... 

Belgium.Brussels.J. R. Jones, Ill. 

Bolivia.La Paz.John T. Croxton, K 


Ecuador.Quito.E. Rumsey Wing, Ky.. 

Greece.Athens.J Meredith Read, Pa. 


Japan 


Portugal.Lisbon.Charles H. Lewis, Va. 

Sweden and Norway..Stockholm.C. C. Andrews, Minn. 

Switzerland.Berne.Horace Rublee, Wis. 

Turkey.Constantinople..George H. Boker, Pa. 7,500.1870 

Uruguay & Paraguay..Montevideo.John L. Stevens, Me. 10,000.1871 

U. S. of Colombia.Bogota.William L. Scruggs, Ga. 7,.500.1873 

Venezuela.Caracas.William A. Pile, Mo. 7,500.1871 

MINISTERS RESIDENT AND CONSULS GENERAL 
Hayti.Port-au-Prince ..E. D. Bassett, Pa.. 


SALARY. 

app't'd. 

$12,000. 

.1868 

. 12,000. 

.1871 

. 10,000. 

.1873 

. 12,000. 

.1869 

. 17,.500. 

.1869 

. 17,500. 

.1870 

. 12,000. 

.1861 

, 12,000. 

.1873 

. 10,000. 

.1872 

. 17,500. 

.1867 

. 17,500. 

.1873 

, 12,000. 

.1874 

. 7,500. 

.1872 

. 7,500. 

.1869 

. 7,500. 

.1872 

. 10,000. 

.1873 

. 7,500. 

.1870 

. 7,.500. 

.1870 

. 7,500. 

.1873 

. 7^500. 

.1869 

. 12,000. 

.1873 

. 7,.500. 

.1870 

. 7^500. 

.1870 

. 7,500. 

.1869 

. 7,'.500. 

.1869 

. 7,500. 

.1870 

. io,’ooo. 

.1871 

. 7,.500. 

.1873 

7,500. 

.1871 

lAL. 


7,.500. 

.1869 

. 4,000. 

.1871 

































































































































LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 


CHAPTEE XLVI. 
CONGRESS. 

1. All government consists of three steps, series, or 
departments. It has a Rule by which its action is gov¬ 
erned; and this embraces the general principles guiding 
all action, as well as the special rules of conduct in regard 
to limited classes of actions — the next step in the series 
is the action demanded to put its rules in actual torce— 
to. apply them—the third is, to determine the application of 
the rule when supposed to be violated, and the agreement 
of the special rule with the general principle. That is to say, 
government is divided into the Legislative, or law making 
power; the Executive, or law enforcing power; and the Judi¬ 
cial, or law discriminating, or judging, power. 

2. In some governments all these are in the same hands, and 
this produces a Despotism. In others they are variously divided 
or mixed. In our country the separation between them is 
made as distinct as possible. The People are regarded as the 
source or fountain of Power. The Constitution represents, in 
its general Principles or Rules, the Will and purposes ot the 
People; and outside of the principles or regulations of this 
instrument no legislation is valid. The Constitution, ema¬ 
nating from the people, defines the boundary of all the 
Departments. Congress is the law-making power, enacting 
within the prescribed limits. The Judiciary takes care that 
these limits are not overstepped by legislative enactment, or 

( 308 ) 



CONGRESS. 


309 


executive action. The executive power, or the President, is 
the concentrated force, the vigorous Ann, of the government. 

It is Congress, the Legislative Authority, that we have now 
to consider. 

3. The National Congress is a body of men representing, 
and acting in the place of, the people. They are elected by the 
people to enact laws for the public good—to do all—and no 
more nor less—than the people would do, if it were possible 
for them to assemble in one great body and make the laws by 
which they wish to be governed. 

It was constituted as wisely, to guard against the errors to 
which humanity is liable, as the experience of the past per¬ 
mitted to the thoughtful and patriotic statesmen who had 
charge of the organization of the government, when the suc¬ 
cessful termination of the War of Independence left the inter¬ 
ests of a new Nation in their hands. England, from which 
they had mostly sprung, and which governed them until that 
period, was in possession of the freest and most enlightened 
government of those times, in the Old World; and they copied 
from her institutions and general structure what they judged 
adapted to our circumstances; prudently avoiding untried 
experiments, as far as possible. 

4. Congress, like the English Parliament, consists of two 
Houses, one, the House of Kepresentatives, (answering to the 
English House of Commons) being directly elected, for a short 
term, by the people, so as to express their views and interests 
as clearly as possible; the other, the Senate, (answering par¬ 
tially to the English House of Lords) appointed by the State 
Legislatures for a longer term, and from among statesmen of 
acknowledged ability and mature character and experience. 
This was expected to supply the necessary check to hasty and 
ill considered action, as they were required to mutually agree 
on all laws enacted. 

5. Both are required to assemble, at the same time, in the 
Capitol at Washington, on the first Monday in December ot 
each year. This is the regular session—extra sessions being 


310 


(X)NGRES8. 


occasionally called by the President when unusual circumstan¬ 
ces demand it. 

The members of the House of Eepresentatives are elected 
for two years, the members of the Senate for six. As the first 
contains by far the largest number, a Congress is said to exist 
for two years, and the 20th Congress would be the one existing 
during the 40th and 41st years of the Republic, dating from 
the first Congress in 1789. 

THE SENATE 

6. Is composed of two persons, chosen by the legistature 
of each State, to represent it as a whole. It makes no differ¬ 
ence whether the State be large or small, whether population 
counts by the million or the thousand. The States are sov¬ 
ereign in their sphere, and this constitution of the Senate 
keeps that fact in view, operates against undue centralizatioti 
of power, and oppression of the smaller States by the larger. 

7. A Senator must be thirty years of age, must have been 
nine years a citizen, (he may have been born in a foreign State, 
and a citizen of it previously,) and must be a citizen of the 
State—(a voter in it) at the time of appointment. He is 
appointed for six years. The Senate is arranged in three 
classes so that the terms of one-third of the whole number 
shall expire every two years. They may be re-elected as often 
as the State legislatures choose. In one case, a Senator was 
continued thirty years in the Senate, without intermission. It 
has equal legislative power with the House of Representatives, 
except that it cannot originate laws for raising money, but it 
must approve and adopt all laws made by the House to render 
them valid. It has some powers that do not belong to the 
House. It confirms or rejects the nominations of the Presi¬ 
dent, to office, and the treaties he makes with foreign powers^ 
and is the only High Court of Impeacliment. 

8. When the Senate meets to consider the nominations of 
the President to office, it is called an Executive Session, and 
only a majority of votes is required to approve or confirm 
them; but when a treaty is to be ratified, or judgment given 


CONGRESS. 


311 


in a case of impeachment, a vote of two-thirds of the members 
present is required. 

The Vice-President of the United States is the presiding 
officer of the Senate; but in case of a vacancy in that office, 
when he is acting as President, or if he be absent, it chooses 
a president from its own members. 

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

9. Is composed of persons elected by the people in the 
various States, in proportion to the number of inhabitants. A 
Representative is elected for a term of two years. He must 
be twenty-five years of age, must have been a citizen of the 
United States seven years, and must be a citizen of the State 
he represents. This is often called the ‘‘ Lower House,” or 
popular branch of the National Legislature, as the Senate is 
sometimes called the “ Upper House,” because it is more select, 
and greater in dignity. 

10. The House of Representatives has the sole power of 
presenting articles of Impeachment, and it alone can originate 
laws for raising revenue. A larger part of the laws are actually 
originated in it, because it is more numerous, its members bet¬ 
ter known to the people whom they immediately represent, and 
the people are better acquainted with them; and more peti¬ 
tions for particular laws are sent to them. Each represent¬ 
ative is voted for by the people of his Congressional District 
alone, and not by all the people of each State; and he specially 
represents the views and wants of his District. 

In each branch of Congress, when a Bill, or plan of a law, 
has been passed, it is sent to the other House, where it is 
referred to a Committee who examine it, and report on it to the 
House; by which it is discussed and adopted, amended, or 
rejected according to its judgment, and returned to the House 
in which it originated. By this method every law is meant to 
be subjected to a careful and cool investigation, its defects dis¬ 
covered and corrected, and its appropriateness clearly made 
manifest. Whoever will examine, with care and thoroughness 
the whole structure of our government will everywhere dis- 


312 


CONGRESS. 


cover traces of the same wisdom and watchful foresight. He 
will see reason for more admiration of the prudent statesman¬ 
ship of those wlio organized our institutions, and feel less sur¬ 
prised at the wonderful prosperity of the country, and at the 
strength of the government when subjected to the severest 
trial. Everything human is more or less imperfect, and we 
shall never be without subjects of complaint, and opportuni¬ 
ties for improvement; but every American, well informed con¬ 
cerning his own and foreign governments, will discover many 
weighty reasons for self-congratulation and pride that our first 
statesmen and people were so wise and prudent in laying the 
foundation, and that their successors have built on it with so 
much skill. 

11. Tlie presiding officer in the House of Representatives 
is called “ The Speaker,” and is chosen by the House, at the 
the beginning of each Congress. He serves during its two 
years of existence. The Clerk of the House and its minor 
officers are chosen by its members—and each House makes 
its own rules, or Parliamentary Laws. The term Congress 
properly covers both branches of the I^ational Legislature; 
but, by custom, the members of the upper house are called 
Senators, and those of the lower Members of Congress, (com¬ 
monly abbreviated to M. C.) 

12. The Compensation of Members of Congress was origi¬ 
nally fixed at eight dollars a day, but has, of late years, been 
severffi times changed. In 1856 it was made $3,00U per ses¬ 
sion, or $6,000 for a Congress of two years. In 1866 it was 
increased to $5,000 per session, and, in 1873 to $7,500 per 
session, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the 
Senate, by this last law, receiving $10,000 per year; but it 
produced so much dissatisfaction among the people that 
the law was changed at the following session, and they now 
receive $5,000 per annum. 

13. The members of each house receive the same compen¬ 
sation. Mileage is allowed them in addition to the salary. 
This has been forty cents per mile, by the usual routes between 


CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. 


313 


the members residence and Washington. In 1865 it was 
reduced to twenty cents per mile, which still seems more 
adapted to the days of stages and slow traveling than to the 
modern improvements in rapidity and cheapness. Tliey for¬ 
merly enjoyed the franking privilege, so called, i. e.: they 
could send letters and documents through the mails free. This 
was abolished in 1873, and they now pay their postage, the 
same as other people. 

14. The first Congress under the Constitution met in Kew 
York City, where two sessions were held, when it was removed 
to Philadelphia. It remained there until 1800, when Wash¬ 
ington became the capital. The Capitol there, in which Con¬ 
gress meets, is one of the largest buildings in the world; 
and the offices for the different executive Departments are 
immense structures. In 1874 there were 37 States and there¬ 
fore 74 Senators. The number of Kepresentatives was fixed 
by a law of March, 1873, at 292, at which number it will 
remain until the next census in 1880. 


CHAPTEK XLYII. 

COXGKESSIOXAL DISTEICTS — CONGKESSMEX. 

1. Each State is entitled to a number of Representatives in 
Congress proportioned to its inhabitants; but, instead of count¬ 
ing the whole number together, and leaving all the people in the 
State to vote for all the representatives of their State, it is divided 
into districts, each containing the prescribed number entitled 
to representation. The voters, then, in each district, select or 
nominate the men they wish to vote for—and thus tliey find it 
easy to send men they know and on whom they can rely to 
secure their interests. Besides, it is more convenient for them 
to meet and ascertain by consultation who would be most 
acceptable to the majority of those interested. Each Member 
of Congress, therefore, is chosen by a single district. Tlie dis¬ 
tricting of States is done by their State Legislatures. 



314 


CONGRESSMEN. 


2. Sometimes a State is admitted into tlie Union before it 
has as many inhabitants as tlie law requires to one Congress¬ 
man, in which case the law is relaxed, and they are permitted 
at least one liepresentative. Contiguous counties or towns 
are set apart in this way and numbered as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, &c.. 
Congressional District. In large cities as many wards, lying 
together, as include the requsite number, are erected into Dis¬ 
tricts. In case the number of Congressmen allotted to a State 
is larger than the number of districts, those in excess are voted 
for by the State at large. They are arranged as soon as possi¬ 
ble after every census, so that this does not often occur. In 
the Western States the number continually increases and 
changes must be made after each census. By this means the 
balance of power gradually follows the emigration from East 
to West. 

CONGRESSMEN. 

3. We have already remarked, in the chapter on Congress 
that, though the term Congressman properly applies to the 
members of both Houses, it is by common usage, contined to 
members of the lower House, those of tlie upper House being 
distinguished as Senators, so that the abbreviation M. C. (Mem¬ 
ber of Congress) is understood to specify a Representative. 

4. These are the only members of any branch of the govern¬ 
ment who are chosen and elected directly by the people, and 
we may see herein the propriety of their having the control of all 
enactments for raising money, this being a point of vital inter¬ 
est to the people. The short term assigned them, (two years,) 
and their election by Districts, enables the people to interfere 
very soon if their purse stilngs are drawn too widely open —a 
very satisfactory reflection to the economical. Any citizen, 
whether native or foreign born, may become a Member of Con¬ 
gress, if he can obtain the consent of the voters in liis district; 
but he must have been a citizen during the previous seven 
years. It is an office of dignity and responsibility, and the 
welfare of the country depends on the wisdom of the people 
in their choice. 


CHATTEE XLYIII. • 
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. 


1. In the Capitol there is a large library, consisting of two 
parts; one part called the Congressional library, the other, the 
law library. The latter is made a part of the former by an 
act of Congress. Both are subject to the same laws and rules, 
and both are supported by appropriations made by Congress. 

This institution, called as a whole, “The Congressional 
Library,” contains the works supposed to be useful to legisla¬ 
tors, but is not confined to their use alone. Its use has been 
extended to the judges of the Supreme Court; to all the heads 
of departments; to the Attorney General; to all the members 
of the diplomatic corps, (foreign ministers); to the secretary 
of the Senate; to the clerk of the House of Representatives, to 
the chaplains of Congress, to all ex-Presidents, and to the 
solicitor of the Treasury. 

2. It has a librarian, appointed by the President and Sen¬ 
ate, who is allowed to appoint two assistants. No book or 
map is allowed to be taken out of the library by any person, 
except the President, Vice-President, members of the Senate 
and of the House of Representatives. 

People in general, who are interested to do so, may obtain 
information from tlie books and records when properly author¬ 
ized, under such restrictions as the circumstances require. 

3. Here are kept all the laws which liave ever been enacted 
by Congress, together with a record of all its proceedings, the 
laws of all the different States, with many of those of foreign 
countries; also a large collection of books on promiscuous sub¬ 
jects, useful to Members of Congress and to those who have 
to administer the government. No where else can so com¬ 
plete a history of the acts and proceedings of the government 
be found, as in the Congressional library at Washington. 

( 315 ) 


316 


COPYRIGHTS. 


This institution dates back to the year 1800, when an act 
was passed making the first appropriation of $5,000 for its 
establishment. The books purchased with this $5,000, with 
those belonging to both Houses, were placed together, and 
thus this library was commenced. 


CHAPTEE XLIX. 

COPYEIGHTS. 

A Copyright is an exclusive privilege given to any citizen, 
or resident in the United States to print, publish, or sell any 
book, map, chart, engraving, or musical composition of which 
he or she is the author or proprietor. Tliis right is given by 
the laws of Congress. No State can give it. The object is to 
encourage authors, and to compensate them for their labors, 
which they could not be sure of obtaining if any one might 
publish and sell their productions. A copyright conveys all 
the rights of ownership, and may be bought and sold like other 
property. 

Directions for Securing Copyrights under the Eevised Act 
OF Congress, which took effect July 8, 1870. 

1. A printed copy of the title of the book, map, chart, 
dramatic or musical composition, engraving, cut, print, pho¬ 
tograph, or a description of the painting, drawing, chromo, 
statue, statuary, or model or design for a work of the fine 
arts, for which copyright is desired, must be sent by mail, 
prepaid, addressed, “Librarian of Congress, Washington, 
D. C.” This must be done before publication of the book or 
other article. 

2. A fee of 50 cents, for recording the title of each book or 
other article, must be inclosed with the title as above, and 50 
cents in addition (or $1 in all) for each certificate of copyright 



COPYRIGHTS. 


31T 


under the seal of the Librarian of Congress, which will be 
transmitted by return mail. 

3. Within ten days after publication of each book or other 
article, two complete copies of the best edition issued must 
be sent, to perfect the copyright, with the address 

Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 

It is optional with those sending books and other articles to 
perfect copyright, to send them by mail or express ; but, in 
either case, tlie charges are to be prepaid by the senders. 
Without the deposit of copies above required, the copyright is 
void, and a penalty of $25 is incurred. ISTo copy is required 
to be deposited elsewhere. 

4. No copyright hereafter issued is valid unless notice is 
given by inserting in every copy published, on the title page 
or the page following, if it be a book; or, if a map, chart, 
musical composition, print, cut, engraving, photograph, paint¬ 
ing, drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, or model or design 
intended to be perfected as a work of the fine arts, by inscrib¬ 
ing upon some portion of the face or front thereof, or on the 
face of the substance on which the same is mounted, the fol¬ 
lowing words, viz. : Entered according to act of Congress^ 

in the year -, hy -, in the office of the Librarian 

of Congress^ at Washington. 

The law imposes a penalty of $100 upon any person who has 
not obtained copyright who shall insert the notice “ Entered 
according to act of Congress^ etc., or words of the same 
import, in or upon any book or other article. 

5. Any author may reserve the right to translate or dram¬ 
atize his own work. In this case notice should be given by 
printing the words. Right of translation reserved., or. Ml 
rights reserved below the notice of copyright entry, and noti¬ 
fying the Librarian of Congress of such reservation, to be 
entered upon the record. 

6. Each copyright secures the exclusive right of publishing 
the book or article copyrighted for a term of twenty-eight 
years. At the end of that time, the author or designer, or his 




318 


COPYRIGHTS. 


widow or children, may secure a renewal for the further term 
of fourteen years, making forty-two years in all. Applications 
for renewal must be accompanied by explicit statement of own¬ 
ership in the case of the author, or of relationship in the case 
of his heirs, and must state definitely the date and place of 
entry of the original copyright. 

7. The time within which any work copyrighted may be 
issued from tlie press is not limited by any law or regulation, 
but depends upon the discretion of the proprietor. A copy¬ 
right may be secured for a projected work as well as for a com¬ 
pleted one. 

8. Any copyright is assignable in law by any instrument 
of writing, but such assignment must be recorded in the office 
of the Librarian of Congress within sixty days from its date. 
The fee for this record is fifteen cents for every 100 words, and 
ten cents for every 100 words for a copy of the record of assign¬ 
ment. 

9. A copy of the record (or duplicate certificate) of any 
copyright entry will be furnished under seal, at the rate of 
fifty cent each. 

10. In the case of books published in more than one volume, 
if issued or sold separately, or of periodicals published in 
numbers, or of engravings, photographs, or otlier articles pub¬ 
lished with variations, a copyright is to be taken out for each 
volume of a book, or number of a periodical, or variety, as to 
size or inscription, of any other article. 

11. To secure a copyright for a painting, statue, or model 
or design intended to be perfected as a work of the fine arts, 
so as to prevent infringement by copying, engraving, or vend¬ 
ing such design, a definite description must accompany the 
application for copyright, and a photograph of the same, at 
least as large as “cabinet size,” must be mailed to the Libra¬ 
rian of Congress within ten days from the completion of the 
work. 

12. Every applicant for a copyright must state distinctly 
the name and residence of the claimant, and whether the right 


PRESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 


319 


is claimed as aiitlior, designer, or proprietor. No affidavit or 
formal application is required. 

Up to 1849 the Secretary of State had the care of issuing 
copyrights. It was then assigned to the newly created Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, and so remained until 1870, when it was 
transferred to the Librarian of Congress. 


CHAPTEK L. 

PKESIDING OFFICEES OF CONGEESS. 

1. These are the President of the Senate and the Speaker 
of the House of Eepresentatives. The latter is chosen by 
ballot of the Members of the House. As this position gives 
him considerable influence over the course of legislation the 
party having a majority in the House are careful to select one 
on whose sympathy with their views and aims they can rely. 
When there is nearly or quite a balance of parties, it becomes 
an important and difficult matter to adjust; and has, in some 
instances, required a long struggle to elect the Speaker. The 
result, in such a case, usually determines which shall control 
the general legislation of that Congress. 

2. The President of the Senate, under ordinary circumstan¬ 
ces, is determined by the Constitution, that instrument devolv¬ 
ing the office on the Vice-President. It is the only active duty 
assigned him while the President is in condition to perform 
the duties belonging to that office. It seems to befit his rela¬ 
tions, being the highest honorary place in the government 
below that of President, subjects him to no superior, and, from 
the part the Senate takes in the responsibilities of the Presi¬ 
dent, makes him acquainted with the general conduct of 
afiairs; which may be an important advantage to him should 
he be called to act as President. In the latter case, and in case 
of the decease, resignation, or disability of the Vice-President, 



320 


PKESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 


the Senate proceeds to elect its President in the same way as 
in the House of Representatives, i. e.: by ballot, for a candi¬ 
date among its owm members. 

3. Their duties are to open every sitting of their respective 
Houses by calling the members to order at the appointed time, 
on the appearance of a quorum to cause the journal of the 
preceding day to be read, to preserve order and decorum during 
the deliberations, to decide questions of order that may arise, 
(from which an appeal may be taken to the House, at the 
instance of any two members,) to formally state, and call for 
the votes on, a question to be decided, and to declare the result 
of the same after the vote has been taken. 

This is the regular routine duty of a presiding officer. They, 
as the recognized Heads of their respective Houses, have the 
general oversight of its interests, and a general control of the 
conduct of its business. They examine the Journal to see 
that it is correct, may order the galleries and lobby to be cleared 
in case of any disturbance by spectators, and have general 
control over the unoccupied rooms in the capitol belonging to 
their respective Houses. They are required to sign all acts, 
addresses, and joint resolutions, and appoint the members of 
all committees whose appointment is not specially directed by 
the House to be otherwise made. In all cases of ballot the 
Speaker of the House must vote; but he is not required to 
vote in other cases unless there is a tie, (an equal number .for 
and against,) when he must give the casting vote. The Presi¬ 
dent of the Senate may vote only in case of a tie. 

When the House of Representatives goes into Committee of 
the Whole, the Speaker leaves the chair, but appoints a chair¬ 
man to preside for the time being; and when the President of 
the United States is impeached before the Senate the Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court presides. 

4. Their duties are very distinctly defined in the rules 
adopted by each House for their guidance, but many opportu¬ 
nities for exerting great influence often arise, and many cases 
requiring great tact and judgment and an intimate knowledge 


PRESIDING OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 321 

of Parliamentary Law. They receive a much larger salary 
than ordinary Members of Congress. 

The following are the names of all the Speakers of the 
House of Representatives. A list of Vice-Presidents is given 
in the chapter devoted to that officer. 


Frederick A. Muhlenburgh, Penn., 

1789 

to 1791 

Jonathan Trumbull, Conn., 

1791 

U 

1793 

Frederick A. Muhlenburgh, Penn., 

1793 

U 

1797 

Jonathan Dayton, N. J., 

1797 

U 

1798 

Theodore Sedgwick, Mass., 

1798 

U 

1801 

Nathaniel Macon, N. C., 

1801 

U 

180T 

Joseph B. Yarnum, Mass.» 

1807 

U 

1811 

Henry Clay, Ky., 

1811 

U 

1814 

Langdon Cheeves, S. C., 

1814 

U 

1815 

Henry Clay, Ky., 

1815 

u 

1820 

John W. Taylor, N. Y., 

1820 

u 

182] 

Philip P. Barbour, Ya., 

1821 

u 

1823 

Henry Clay, Ky., 

1823 

u 

1825 

John W. Taylor, N. Y., 

1825 

a 

1827 

Andrew Stevenson, Ya., 

1827 

u 

1835 

John Bell, Tenn., 

1835 

a 

183T 

James K. Polk, Tenn., 

1837 


1839 

Robert M. T. Hunter, Ya., 

1839 

a 

1841 

John White, Ky., 

1841 

u 

1843 

John W. Jones, Ya., 

1843 

a 

1845 

John W. Davis, Ind., 

1845 

u 

1847 

Robert C. Winthrop, Mass., 

1847 

u 

1849 

Howell Cobb, Ga., 

1849 

u 

1851 

Lynn Boyd, Ky., 

1851 

u 

1856 

Nathaniel P. Banks, Mass., 

1856 

u 

1858 

James L. Orr, S. C., 

1858 

u 

1859 

William Pennington, N. J., 

1860 

a 

1861 

Galusha A. Grow, Penu., 

1861 

a 

1863 

Schuyler Colfax, Ind., 

1864 

u 

1869 

James G. Blaine, Me., 

1869 

u 

1873 

u a u 

1873 

a 

1875 


21 


CHAPTER LI. 


SUBORDINATE OFFICERS OF CONGRESS. 

L The Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of 
Representatives, are the officers next in rank in the two bodies 
forming Congress. They are appointed by vote of their 
respective Houses. They are not necessarily selected from 
among the members of the Senate or House, as is the custom 
in case of the presiding officers, but may be chosen by the 
members at will. 

2. Their chief duties are in connection with a record or 
journal of the proceedings of their respective Houses. This 
is an official and correct account of all the transactions of each 
body, is examined by the presiding officer, and read before the 
members for criticism and approval. They cause this journal 
to be printed and a copy be delivered to each member at the 
commencement of every session of Congress, as also to the 
Executive and to each branch of the Legislature of every State. 
So also they arrange, cause to be printed, and distribute to the 
members all the current documents of each House that may be 
useful to them in the discharge of their duties, as often as the 
case requires. All contracts for furnishing anything required 
by Congress, or for any labor done for it, are made with, 
or approved by, the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the 
Senate. 

3. They act also as treasurers of the special, or contingent 
funds of Congress, from which payments are made on their 
order, after the accounts, on which the order is based, are 
approved by the Committee of Accounts; and give bonds in a 
large sum for the faithful use of tliese funds, making a detailed 
report of all expenditures. 

THE SEKGEANT-AT-ARMS 

4. Isa kind of police and executive officer, who aids or acts 
under the direction of the ])residing officer in keeping order, 
and executes the commands of Congress. All arrests ordered 

(322) 


CONGRESS AT WORK. 


323 


by Congress are made by him or his deputies, and all legal 
processes served by him. He bears a mace as the symbol of 
his office when on duty. He keeps the accounts of the pay and 
mileage of the members of Congress, prepares checks, and 
draws and pays the money to them. 

5. The other officers are a Doorkeeper—whose business it 
is to see that only the proper persons gain admission to the 
sessions of Congress, and watches over, and is responsible for, 
the furniture contained in the rooms of the capitol placed in 
his charge—and a postmaster, whose business it is to superin¬ 
tend a postoffice kept in the capitol for the accommodation of 
members of Congress. Various clerks, deputies, and messen¬ 
gers are employed under most of these officers, to aid them in 
the discharge of their duties. 


CHAPTER LII. 

CONGRESS AT WORK. 

1. Congress is required by the Constitution to assemble on 
the lirst Monday in December of each year. It may, by a law 
duly made to that effect, change that time, but no permanent 
change has ever been made. As soon after that time as a quo¬ 
rum of its members, which the Constitution declares shall be 
a majority of each House, has assembled each House proceeds 
to the election of officers (which, however, is done only every 
other year,) and the arrangement of its committees, and it is 
ready for work. 

2. As soon as the organization is ascertained to be complete 
the other House of Congress and the President are informed of 
the fact, after which propositions, or bills as they are called, 
of new laws, or repeals or revisals of old ones are entertained. 
Of these there is never any lack. They are taken up in regu¬ 
lar order, referred to an appropriate committee for examination, 
a report is in due time made by the committee, discussed 
at such length as the members see cause for, in a regular man- 



324 


CONGRESS AT WORK. 


ner, and finally are voted on. Sometimes, if the members are 
not satisfied with the information presented on some point or 
points, they return them to the committee with instructions to 
investigate further, and make another report; sometimes they 
“ lay them on the table,’’ that is, put them aside for future 
action; or they accept, amend, or change them to meet their 
views, and then accept or reject them altogether. 

3. When a bill has reached a vote and been accepted by the 
House in which it originated, it is sent to the other House, by 
which it is taken up, referred to a committee, usually passing 
through substantially the same course and form of considera¬ 
tion as in the first case, laid aside, amended, accepted or 
rejected according to circumstances, and returned to the former 
House. If it is accepted by both they then send it to the 
President, who carefully considers it. If it meets his appro¬ 
bation, he signs and returns it to Congress, and it becomes the 
Law of the Land, and all to whom it refers are bound to obey 
it, it being the duty of the President to see that it is enforced. 
It is called an “ Act of Congress,” because it is the proper 
exercise of its law making authority, and because all such laws 
are preceded by the clause, “ Be it enacted by the Senate and 
House of Eepresentatives of the United States of America, in 
Congress assembled.” 

4. If the President does not think it a suitable law, and is 
unwilling to assume the responsibility of signing it, he returns 
it to Congress, with his reasons for not doing so. If Congress 
is not satisfied with these reasons it may take another vote on 
it, and if the members in its favor amount to two-tlirds of 
each House, it becomes a law without the signature of the 
President. This powder of the President to decline to sign a 
law of Congress is called his “ Veto.” Sometimes it is carried 
over the veto, and sometimes it fails for lack of the requisite 
number in its favor. 

5. The larger part of Congressional laws are passed in this 
way, which is the regular Parliamentary form; but sometimes 
its authority is expressed by a Eesolution instead of a bill. 


CONGKESS AT WORK. 


325 


This is a kind of informal way of passing a law, though it 
usually takes that form because of the peculiar character of 
the subject of the Kesolution; as an amendment to the Con¬ 
stitution would be commenced by a resolution passed by both 
Houses; but, as Congress has not the sole power over that 
question, it requiring the concurrence of three-fourths of the 
States, it is put in that form. When some demand is to be 
made by Congress on the President, or on various officers of 
the government, and in a variety of other cases, a resolution 
has the force of law, disobedience to which would involve a 
penalty. Many resolutions merely express the views of Con¬ 
gress, and are of force and value only on account of the respecta¬ 
bility and dignity of the body expressing them. Some resolu¬ 
tions require to be passed in both Houses to acquire legal 
force, and are then called Concurrent Resolutions. 

A bill must pass through the regular forms of printing, 
reference to a committee, report, placing in order on the records, 
and calling up at a proper time for consideration and decision. 
This is very proper to avoid hasty action before all the bearings 
of the case have been examined; but would consume too much 
time if required in every case. A resolution may be debated 
and decided at once, and it facilitates the progress of business, 
in the class of cases to which it is applicable. 

6. The amount of business to be done by Congress is 
immense. Each branch of the executive department makes a 
yearly report to it, which must be considered and suitable laws 
passed; many hundreds of laws are commonly asked to be 
passed, repealed, or revised, by the President or the people; 
and all the interests of a great and growing country looked 
after. Those who are at a distance cannot always judge accu¬ 
rately of the difficulties it meets with in endeavoring to give 
satisfaction to all, nor of the different appearance which ques¬ 
tions may present when closely examined and looked at 
on all sides, and Congress has a great deal of short-sighted 
criticism to bear. 

Congressmen cannot always tell what is best more than other 


326 


PUBIJC PRINTING. 


people, nor always find themselves able to do what they prefer, 
or judge to be best, and the account to which they are held is 
sometimes unjust; yet, on the whole they have always respected, 
and sought to serve, the views and interests of the people as a 
whole, and deserve much praise. The country has become 
prosperous and free under their legislation, and what the major¬ 
ity of the people clearly call for is always done for them. 

7. The more carefully the people whom they represent 
watch them at work, and study the subjects they are required 
to legislate on, the less reason will they find for denunciation 
of them, and the more intelligently will they be able to lay 
out their work for them. They are the servants of the people, 
notwithstanding they seem to command and order, and are 
liable to be dismissed and turned out of place if they do not 
give satisfaction. They are men like ourselv^es, with interests, 
temptations, and weaknesses. We should aid them in their 
work, and assist them to walk uprightly by our intelligence 
and careful regard for reason and right. Our representatives 
will always, in character and conduct, present a fair statement 
of what we are ourselves. If we are just, honest, and high- 
minded they will not dare to be otherwise tlian faithful and 
true, and if we are intelligent we shall never put ignorant and 
vile men in office. So the Congress of the United States of 
America will always be a truly Representative Body. 

CHAPTER LIU. 

PUBLIC PRINTING. 

1. Among the Institutions of the government is that liead- 
ing this chapter. The amount of printing required to be done 
for Congress, the various branches of the government, and for 
the benefit of the people, is very great indeed. All the pro¬ 
ceedings of both Houses of Congress as recorded by the secre¬ 
taries are required to be printed under authority; since many 
copies are required by the members and for general purposes. 



PUBLIC PRINTING. 


327 


All the laws are printed in great numbers for circulation among 
the many millions interested ; and when a bill is proposed it 
requires to be printed for the use of the several hundred mem¬ 
bers who need it for examination and study, although it often 
never becomes a law. 

2. The President’s Messages, and all the reports of heads 
of departments and bureaus ; the reports and commissions of 
army and navy officers, of investigating committees, of various 
superintendents, agents, and government employees, and many 
other things are printed, sometimes only for use of Congress ; 
sometimes for extensive circulation. Thus it is easily seen that 
the government printing is a heavy expense, and a very large 
part is indispensable ; though many believe that a judicious 
selection of documents and a careful study as to the number 
of some of them printed might largely reduce the expense, 
without injury to the public welfare. We do not wish to pay 
for the printing of documents that are never read. It is a 
waste of the people’s money; yet, we must not forget that it is 
of the utmost importance that the people should become inti¬ 
mately acquainted with all the affairs of the government. Per¬ 
haps Congress is sometimes wiser than the people, and that 
many documents are wisely printed, and unwisely left unread 
by those most interested. . Economy and intelligence are to be 
equally regarded. 

3. Until 1860, the government hired men to do this work, 
and a printer was employed by each house of Congress. But 
great complaints were made of the enormous expense to which 
the country was subjected in this item of its expenditures; and 
at the date named. Congress passed an act establishing a gov¬ 
ernment printing office, to be under the direction of a super¬ 
intendent of public printing. The sum of $150,000 was appro¬ 
priated for the purchase of necessary buildings, machinery, and 
materials for the purpose. By the provisions of the act it was 
made the superintendent’s duty to overlook all the public 
printing and binding, not only of Congress, but of all the 
departments, and of the United States courts ; to purchase all 


328 


SIGNAL SERVICE. 


necessary materials and to employ all tlie workmen required. 
And that Congress may know how the establishment is con¬ 
ducted and at what expense, the superintendent is required to 
report to Congress at the commencement of every session, the 
work done, the number of hands employed, and the exact state 
and condition of the establishment. He is prohibited from 
paying more for work done in this office than is given for the 
same services in private printing offices in Washington. 

4. The superintendent is also charged with the duty of pro¬ 
curing all blank books, maps, drawings, diagrams, views, and 
charts, which may be ordered by Congress, or by the heads of 
departments and bureaus. But the superintendent himself is 
not left to act always as he may think proper, for in many cases 
he must have the approval of the joint committee on printing 
of both Houses of Congress. 

5. This is a very proper effort to curtail expenses. It 
remains to be seen how successful it may be. The constant 
watchful oversight of the Sovereign People can alone succeed 
in keeping all things in due order. When the representatives 
of the people become careless and wasteful the admonition of 
the people is never without its effect. 


CHAPTEPv LIY. 

THE SIGNAL SEEYICE. 

1. The present organization of this institution dates from 
the beginning of the civil war, and was originally purely mili¬ 
tary in its aims and purposes. It is still conducted by the 
War Department, and partly for its own purposes ; but its 
value to agricultural and commercial interests is constantly 
becoming more apparent and more extensive, and will probably, 
in the end, so overshadow its military relations as to reduce 
them to a very subordinate place in importance. The civil 
uses of this service are based on the science of meteorology, 
which is largely occupied with weather changes, the origin. 



SIGNAL SERVICE. 


329 


progress, and laws of Storms. Its value to the people consists 
in its accurate prediction of changes in the weather, and the 
warning it is able to give, sometimes many hours or even days 
in advance, of dangerous storms. Its estimate of weather 
probabilities, based on observations reported daily from promi¬ 
nent points covering the whole country, are published in all 
the daily papers, usually found accurate, and are of great value 
to certain classes of the people. When a storm threatens to 
endanger the safety of shipping a signal is displayed in the 
port to give warning, and much property and many lives are 
often saved. It makes an accurate and scientific study of the 
weather and all the laws controlling its changes, by a large corps 
of enlightened and trained observers, all whose facts, constantly 
reported, systematized, and studied by competent persons, are 
likely to produce, in time, a most important and useful body 
of knowledge on that subject. 

2. The objects of the Signal Service require its officials to 
be connected with the United States army, to have the use of 
the Electric Telegraph, to be familiar with Meteorology, and 
skillful in the use of the scientific instruments employed in the 
study of atmospheric changes. By means of the telegraph, 
the army, though scattered over the whole country, and especially 
the frontiers and more inaccessible parts, may be almost instan¬ 
taneously, and all at the same time, communicated with. It 
would be possible, by telegraphs, signals, and railroads, to con¬ 
centrate the whole army from the numerous points where its 
fragments are located, from Maine to Texas, and the Atlantic 
to the Pacific, at one point in as short a time as it formerly 
took a body of soldiers to march a hundred miles. 

3. It is a singularly striking instance of the vigor and 
effectiveness of control supplied by science, invention, and 
modern progress, by which our vast increase in numbers and 
in extent of territory are neutralized, the interests, sentiments, 
and habits of the people unified so that sectional jealousies and 
contests are made rare and slight, and the people of remote 
parts of the country made practically better acquainted with 


330 


SIGNAL SERVICE. 


each other than formerly were the inhabitants of adjoining 
States. 

4. Subordination and thoroughness of system are secured 
by its connection with the army, which probably also secures 
its advantages to the country at much less cost than would be 
the case were it an independent institution. The army is am¬ 
bitious to be as useful as possible to the country. There is a 
Signal School of Instruction and Practice at Fort Whipple, in 
Ya., which is to this Service what the Military and Naval 
A(‘ademies are to the Army and Navy. The most suitable per¬ 
sons are selected from the army or especially enlisted, and care¬ 
fully schooled and tested through a sufficiently long period to 
render them fully competent for the delicate duties im])osed on 
them. 

5. There are about 90 Signal Stations, a few being located 
in Canada and the West Indies. The whole is under the direc¬ 
tion of the Chief Signal Officer, who reports to the Secretary 
of War. There is a large and carefully arranged organization, 
under constant supervision by competent persons. Several 
Boards of Examination are employed in selecting suitable 
persons for the different duties required in the Service, and in 
testing their advancement toward a tliorough fitness for each 
position to be occupied. 

The first or lowest grade is for the “ field ” signal service, 
requiring a knowledge of army signals and telegraphy — this 
being the original military value of the institution—the second 
grade includes those who are competent to act as assistants to 
observers in the scientific or meteorological part of the work ; 
and the third (called Observer Sergeants) includes tliose who 
have so complete a knowledge of the scientific principles 
involved and of the use of the instruments employed as to 
be fitted to take charge of Stations of Observation, and make 
the constant and minute reports on which the conclusions of 
the Central Office are based. 

The Stations are from time to time inspected, and the whole 
system kept in the most accurate order. Yery’much depends 
on the intelligence and unremitting attention of the Observers. 


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 


331 


This is, probably, the beginning of a work of the greatest 
practical value to commerce and agriculture. It will continu¬ 
ally expand and grow more exact and useful, and from its rela¬ 
tions to the diffusion of important and useful knowledge we 
have placed it with the 

THE SMITHSONIAN INSmUTION. 

1. Tliough there are no doubt many minor failures to meet 
the wishes, and secure the interests of the people and some, 
perhaps, that are really serious—though in these the people bear 
a good share of the blame—tlie government has pursued an 
enlightened policy in respect to the encouragement of Science, 
and the diffusion of useful knowledge. What it can properly 
do in the interest of the whole people has been done. The 
Smithsonian Institution is not wholly a government establish¬ 
ment; but the official machinery by which it was at first set 
in motion, and is continued in operation, belongs to the gov¬ 
ernment. The funds with which it was founded, were fur¬ 
nished by an individual, and he a foreigner. The history runs 
thus: A noble-hearted Englishman, whose name was John 
Smithson, residing in the city of London, becpieathed all his 
property to the United States of America, for the purpose of 
founding in Washington an establishment to be knowm as the 
“ Smithsonian Institution,” for the purpose of increasing and 
diffusing knowledge among men. The United States accepted 
the bequest, and in 1846 passed an act for the purpose of car¬ 
rying out the beneficent design of Mr. Smithson. This act 
created “ an establishment,” as it is denominated in the act, by 
the name before stated. It might have been called a corpora¬ 
tion, for it has perpetual succession, and many of the powers 
incident to a corporation. 

2. B}" this act the President and Vice-President of the 
United States, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Havy, the 
Postmaster General, the Attorney General, and Chief Justice, 
the Commissioner of the Patent Office, and the Mayor of 
Washington— during the time they shall hold their respective 


332 


KEPOETS. 


offices, together with such other persons as they may elect 
lionorary members—were constituted the establishment under 
the name of the Smithsonian Institution. 

3. It is located at Washington, and is managed by a board 
of regents, composed of the Yice-President of the United 
States, the Chief Justice of the United States, the Mayor of 
Washington, three members of the Senate, and three members 
of the House of Eepresentatives; together with six other per¬ 
sons. The board choose their own officers, and report their 
proceedings to Congress at each session thereof. 

4. In order to carry out Mr. Smithson’s noble design of 
founding this institution, rooms have been prepared for the 
reception of all objects of art, natural history, plants, and 
geological and mineralogical specimens which now or here¬ 
after may belong to the United States, and such as may here¬ 
after be obtained. These are classified and arranged so as to 
facilitate their examination and study. A vast collection has 
already been obtained and deposited in the institution, and it 
is constantly increasing by donations, by the researches and 
industry of its professors, and by exchanges made with kin¬ 
dred institutions at home and abroad. These are open to the 
examination of the public, and offer an opportunity to students 
and others to extend their scientific knowledge. This, together 
with the reports of its professors, of experiments and new 
discoveries, make it indeed an institution ‘‘for the increase 
and diffusion of knowledge among men.” 


CHAPTEK LY. 

EEPOKTS. 

1. Congress being the law-making power of the govern¬ 
ment, it is evident that, to know precisely what laws it is 
important to enact, to change, or to repeal, they should be kept 
well informed of all that is done ])y government officials, and 
the precise condition of every branch of the public service. 



REPORTS. 


333 


The President’s Messages are of the nature of reports made 
by the Chief Executive to the legislative body for its informa¬ 
tion and guidance. So it is enacted that the Secretaries of 
State, Treasury, War, Navy, Interior, and Postmaster General, 
together with the commissioners of the different bureaus, and 
boards attached to these departments, shall annually report to 
Congress. Heads of departments report directly to Congress. 
So do many of the commissioners who are at the head of 
bureaus. Boards report to the heads of departments to which 
they are attached. 

2. In this way Congress is kept advised of whatever is done 
in every department, bureau, or board, to which any of the 
public business is entrusted. These reports not only furnish 
the law-making power with such information as it needs, ])ut 
serve as a check to any official misconduct. The annual 
reports of the Secretaries of the Treasury, War, and Havy, 
together with that of the Postmaster General, are State papers 
which rank in importance next to the annual message of the 
President. To them the people look for a detailed account of 
the state and condition of those great departments over which 
these Secretaries preside, and which so materially affect the 
pecuniary and other great interests of the nation. 

3. The foregoing remarks upon reports, throw light upon 
the movements of the machinery by which the government is 
operated, and show how officials are held responsible to the 
superior power. 

In this connection we may notice another kind of reports, 
which come from another source. After each Congress has 
convened and organized, the President of the Senate and the 
Speaker of the House appoint what are denominated the stand¬ 
ing committees of each of these bodies. 

When bills are presented to be passed into laws, or petitions 
are sent in, they are always referred to the appropriate com¬ 
mittee, which examines them and reports to the body (of the 
Senate or House) their conclusions upon the merits or demer¬ 
its, propriety or impropriety, of granting the petition, or of 
passing the bill under consideration. 


334 


IMPEACHMENT. 


These reports generally govern the action of Congress when 
they come to vote upon the passage of the law. But that is not 
always the case; the body of either House may think differ¬ 
ently from its committee, and act contrary to its recommen- 
dationSo 


CHAPTEK LYI. 
IMPEACHMENT. 

1. In the second article, section four, of the Constitution, 
these words are found: “The President, Vice-President, and 
all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from 
office on impeachment for, and conviction of treason, bribery, 
or other high crimes and misdemeanors.’’ 

2. Impeachment is a procedure against office holders only, 
for the purpose of removing them from office. It inflicts no 
other punishment; but the guilty party may afterwards be 
prosecuted for his crime in a court of law, and punished in 
such manner as the law directs. 

3. The House of Representatives alone can present charges 
looking to the trial of an officer of the government by impeach¬ 
ment. Its action, in such a case, is similar to that of a Grand 
Jury. It charges that the official has violated the law and 
should be tried, in order, if guilty, to be removed from office. 
It appoints a committee to conduct the prosecution before the 
Senate, to which these charges are presented. 

4. The Senate alone has the power to try the accused party. 
When trying a case of impeachment it acts as a court, and 
from its decision there is no appeal. The President cannot 
pardon a criminal who has been impeached. When the Presi¬ 
dent of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court presides, but in no other case. No person can 
be convicted in a trial of impeachment, unless two-thirds of 
the Senate concur in flnding the accused guilty of the alleged 
offense. 



THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. 


This is the third Branch of the government, as determined 
by the Constitution, and is of supreme importance and dignity. 
Its sphere is to interpret the Constitution, to decide contro¬ 
versies, to try offenders and to pronounce sentence on them, 
to enforce rights, and to keep the whole organism of the 
government in proper place and proportion. It is attached to 
the governmental machinery as a Kegulator. Without it the 
otlier Departments must be the judges of the extent of their 
own powers; the Constitution would be practically inoperative 
to prevent inharmonious or mischievious legislation; and the 
executive would possess the authority to try as well as punish 
offenses. 

The officers of this Department of the government are 
expected to be men of much weight and dignity of character, 
of wide legal culture, and are selected for, and continued in, 
office under such circumstances as to guarantee, to a fair 
extent, the requisite distinction and impartiality. 

All this we shall see as we proceed to analyze its different 
branches. These consist of the United States Supreme Court, 
the Circuit Courts, the District Courts, and the Court of 
Claims. The local courts in the District of Columbia, and 
the Territorial Courts, though similar to the State Judiciaries, 
are connected, by their relations to the General Government, 
with this Department. 

The importance of this branch of the government has become 
more evident as time has passed, and the conflict of parties 
has put the whole to test. The acrimonious party spirit of 
our early post revolutionary history, which continued into 
Monroe’s administration, was, in great part, the result of a 
want of due confidence in, and respect for, the judiciary. 
Experience showed that our people were law abiding, and that 
the Legislative and Executive powers, equally with the people, 

( 335 ) 



336 


THE SUPREME COURT. 


were willing to submit to the official interpretation of the 
Constitution, and all ready to join hands to maintain its 
authority. 


CHAPTEK LYII. 

THE SUPEEME COUET. 

1. This is the highest tribunal in the United States. If the 
whole government be figuratively regarded as an arch this is 
the “ Key Stone of the Arch ” without which the whole struc¬ 
ture would crumble and fall. In all cases of dispute as to the 
meaning of the Constitution and the range of powers it con¬ 
fers, or implies, it has sovereign power to decide; and from that 
decision there is no appeal. Its declaration, as to the mean¬ 
ing and application of the Constitution and the body of stat¬ 
utes enacted under it, becomes the law of the land. It is the 
great bulwark against tyranical use of power, and conflicting 
enactments, whether by National or State Legislatures. 

2. This court has one Chief Justice and nine Associate 
Justices, all appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. They are appointed for life, 
or during good behavior; they may be impeached for bribery 
or other high crimes, and then removed from office. They 
may also resign; but if they conduct themselves properly and 
choose to retain their offices, there is no power by which they 
can be removed, except the power of death. The Constitution 
itself makes this provision, in order that the judges may be 
removed as far as possible from the influence of party politics. 
It is therefore expected that their decisions will not be biased 
by party or political considerations; and it may not be amiss 
to say that the provisions for keeping the judges of the United 
States Courts in office for life, meets with almost universal 
approbation; and has caused many to hope that the States 
would alter their Constitutions and adopt the same plan; 
believing it to be the surest way of preserving a pure and 



THE SUPREME CX)URT. 


337 


independent Judiciary, on which depend the rights and liber¬ 
ties ol every citizen of the commonwealth. 

3. This court holds but one term in a year, which com¬ 
mences on the first Monday of December, and sits until it has 
disposed of the business before it. Its sessions are always held 
at Washington, the capital of the nation; thero it has access 
to the Congressional and Law Libraries, and to all the depart¬ 
ments and records of the government when necessary. 

There is a class of causes which may be commenced in this 
court. In these cases it has original jurisdiction. They are 
such as afiect ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; 
and those in which a State shall be a party. In other cases it 
has only appellate jurisdiction. The greater part of its busi¬ 
ness is to hear and determine appeals from inferior courts, 
mainly from the United States Circuit Courts; and in some 
instances from the highest State courts. 

4. It has not only original, but exclusive jurisdiction in 
causes where a State is a party, and when proceedings or suits 
against ambassadors, or other public ministers or their servants, 
are instituted. Its power to try appeals from lower courts, 
called appellate jurisdiction, gives it the position of the high¬ 
est court in the nation. 

It has power also to restrain or to prohibit proceedings in 
the United States District Courts, when acting as courts of 
Admiralty; or in cases of maritime jurisdiction. The judges 
of this court hold the Circuit Courts, and allot themselves 
among the judicial circuits. 

The practice and rules of procedure in this court are very 
similar to those of the Courts of Chancery and King’s Bench, 
in England. Issues of fact are tried by jury, the same as in 
other courts. 


OFFICERS OF THE COURT. 

5. The officers of this tribunal are the Judges, the Attor¬ 
ney General, a clerk, a crier, and a reporter. The three last 
named are appointed by the court. It is the duty of the Mar- 
22 


338 


THE SUPREME COURT. 


slial of the District of Columbia to attend this court, and to 
serve process issuing from it. 

An Attorney or Counsellor-at-Law, to be admitted to prac¬ 
tice in this court, must have been a practitioner in the Supreme 
Court of the State where he lives. 

6. The following are the names of all the Chief Justices 
of the Supreme Court of the United States, from its establish¬ 
ment to the present time; with the dates of their appoint¬ 
ments, and the States from which they were appointed: 

John Jay, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1789. 

John Eutledge, S. C., July 1, 1795. 

William Cushing, Mass., Jan. 27, 1796. 

Oliver Ellsworth, Ct., March 4, 1796. 

John Jay, U. Y., Dec. 19, 1800. 

John Marshall, Ya., Jan. 27, 1801. 

Koger B. Taney, Md., Dec. 28, 1835. 

Salmon P. Chase, O. 

Morrison P. Waite, O., Jan. 21, 1874. 

7. The following are the names of the Associate Justices^ 
with the dates of their appointment and the States from which 
they were appointed: 

John Eutledge, S. C., 1789. 

William Cushing, Mass., 1789. 

Eobert H. Harrison, Md., 1789. 

James Wilson, Pa., 1789. 

John Blair, Ya., 1789. 

James Iredell, Y. C., 1790. 

Thomas Johnson, Md., 1791. 

William Paterson, H. J., 1793. 

Samuel Chase, Md., 1796. 

Bushrod Washington, Ya., 1798. 

Alfred Moore, E. C., 1799. 

William Johnson, S. C., 1804. 

Brockholst Livingston, H. Y., 1807. 

Thomas Todd, Ya., 1807. 

Gabriel Duvall, Md., 1811. 


THE SUPREME COURT 


339 


Joseph Story, Mass., 1811. 

Smith Thompson, N. Y., 1823. 
Eobert Trimble, Ky., 1823. 

John McLean, O., 1829. 

Henry Baldwin, Pa., 1830. 

James M. Wayne, Ga., 1835. 
Philip P. Barbour, Ya., 1836. 
John McKinley, Ala., 1837. 

John Catron, Tenn., 1837. 

Peter Y. Daniel, Ya., 1841. 
Samuel Kelson, K. Y., 1845. 

Levi Woodbury, K. H., 1845. 
Eobert C. Grier, Pa., 1846. 
Benjamin E. Curtis, Mass., 1851. 
James A. Campbell, Ala., 1853. 
Kathan Clifford, Me., 1858. 

Koah H. Swayne, O., 1862. 
Samuel F. Miller, Iowa, 1862. 
Stephen J. Field, Cal. 

David Davis, Ill., 1862. 

William Strong, Pa., 1870. 
Joseph P. Bradley, K. J., 1870. 
Ward Hunt, K. Y., 1873. 


CHAPTEE LYIII. 

CIECUIT COUETS. 

The next in dignity, power, and jurisdiction are the United 
States Circuit Courts. While the Supreme Court is always 
held in Washington, these are held in every State at such times 
and places as special law of Congress directs. These are often 
changed so as to accommodate both the people in the States 
and the judges of the Court. As now arranged, the whole 
Union is divided into nine circuits, each circuit comprising 
several States, according to the size and population of the 



340 


CIRCUIT COURTS. 


States. The places are arranged with reference to convenience 
of access by all the people in the circuit. 

This Court is similar in design and authority to the Supreme 
Court; indeed it is but a branch ol it; the same officers pre¬ 
siding, and the same class of questions being adjudicated by 
it, viz.: those involving Constitutional Law; and this authority, 
so important to uniformity of interpretation of constitutional 
provisions, and to the enjoyment of rights guaranteed by that 
instrument to citizens of all the States, is made pervading — 
is carried within the reach of all. 

2. The Circuit Courts are held by the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, who allot the circuits among themselves, and 
then travel each through his own circuit, until he has visited 
and held a session in every State which lies within it. A J udge 
of the Supreme Court is the presiding and supreme magistrate 
in every Circuit Court, but the Judge of the District Court of 
the district in which the Circuit is held, sits with the Judge of 
the Supreme Court, as Associate Justice. 

JURISDICTION. 

3. These Courts have both original and appellate jurisdic¬ 
tion. Causes may be appealed from the District Courts to the 
Circuit. They also have concurrent jurisdiction with the State 
courts, where the matter in dispute exceeds the sum of $500, 
and the United States are plaintiffs; or where an alien is a 
party, or where the suit is between citizens of different States. 
They have exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of crimes against 
the United States, except where the law especially confers the 
power on other courts. It extends to all cases under the reve¬ 
nue laws of the United States. 

4. There is also a certain class of cases (too tedious to be 
described here in detail,) which may be removed from State 
and from District Courts, into these courts, and be tried and 
determined in the same manner as if they had been commenced 
here. 

The officers of Circuit Courts are, first, the Judges; second, 
the District Attorney of the district in whieh the court is 


CIRCUIT COURTS. 


341 


held; third, the Marshal of the district; and fourth, a Clerk, 
who is appointed by the court. 

5. It may be interesting, and perhaps useful to know how 
the different circuits are formed, and what States lie in each. 
They have been from time to time increased in number, as the 
number of the States increased. In some cases States have 
been at first placed in one circuit, and afterwards detached 
and placed in another. 

6. By the Acts of 1862 and 1863, the circuits were arranged 
as follows: 

First Circuit—Ehode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and FTew 
Hampshire (by Act of 1820.) 

Second Circuit—Vermont, Connecticut, New York (Act of 
1837). 

Third Circuit—New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Fourth Circuit—Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and North 
Carolina. 

Fifth Circuit—South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi 
and Florida. 

Sixth Circuit—Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and 
Tennessee. 

Seventh Circuit—Ohio and Indiana. 

Eighth Circuit—Michigan and Illinois. 

Ninth Circuit—Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Min¬ 
nesota. 

Tenth Circuit—California and Oregon. 

But in 1866 this arrangement of the circuits was again 
changed; and this was done, we suppose, to make the circuits 
approximate nearer to the number of Associate Justices, as 
reduced from nine to six by the same act; for, it was then 
enacted that hereafter there should be no more Associate Jus¬ 
tices of the Supreme Court appointed, until they were reduced 
(by death or resignation), to six. 

7. The circuits by this last act were reduced to nine, and 
were arranged as follows: 

First and Second Circuits to remain as before. 


342 


DISTEICT COURTS. 


Tlie Third was made up of the States of Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey and Delaware. 

The Fourth, of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North 
Carolina and South Carolina. 

The Fifth, of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississipf)!, Loui¬ 
siana and Texas. 

The Sixth, of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

The Seventh, of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. 

The Eighth, of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and 
Arkansas. 

The Ninth, of California, Oregon and Nevada. 

We have inserted both of these circuit arrangements, 
because one new State (Nebraska), has been admitted since the 
act passed. Others will soon come in, and very probably the 
old number of circuits and judges will be restored. 


CHAPTEK LIX. 

DISTRICT COURTS. 

1. We come now to the lowest grade of United States 
courts, excepting the local courts in the District of Columbia, 
and the Territorial Courts. A United States District Court is 
held by a District Judge in every district. Every State con¬ 
stitutes at least one district, several of the larger States are 
divided into two, and some into three. There are at the pres¬ 
ent time fifty-nine Judicial Districts, and consequently the 
same number of District Judges, District Attorneys, District 
Clerks and Marshals. The Judges, Attonieys and Marshals 
are all appointed by the President and Senate; the Clerks by 
the respective courts. 

TERMS. 

2. Ry the law of 1789 every District Judge was required to 
hold four sessions a year, at such times and in such places as 
Congress directed. This is done to this day in a great maior- 
ity of the States; but by later laws, in some of the districts 
only two or three sessions a year are required. 



DISTRICT COURTS. 


343 


JURISDICTION. 

3. These courts have exclusive jurisdiction in all admiralty 
and maritime causes. These relate to maritime contracts, and 
to crimes against the laws of the United States, committed on 
the sea and on navigable lakes and rivers. It embraces in this 
country all contracts respecting vessels and navigation; such 
as chartering, repairing, and fitting them out, seamen’s wages, 
&c. They have in some cases concurrent jurisdiction with the 
Circuit Courts, as in cases of piracy, and exclusive cognizance of 
cases where seizures are made for a violation of the revenue laws, 
or laws relating to imports and navigation; and causes against 
consuls and vice consuls where the amount claimed does not 
exceed $100. In short, they have concurrent jurisdiction with 
the Circuit Courts, of all crimes against the laws of the United 
States, the punishment of which is not capital. The trial of 
issues of fact in all causes except civil causes of admiralty and 
maritime jurisdiction, must be by jury. 

4. Appeals are taken from these courts to the Circuit 
Courts. The judges are appointed like those of the Supreme 
Court, for life, or during good behavior, and receive various 
amounts as salary, some more and some less, according to the 
amount of services to be performed in their respective districts. 

5. When vessels are captured in time of war, either by the 
public armed vessels or by private armed ships, the facts and 
circumstances of the capture must be brought before a United 
States Circuit or District Court for adjudication; when the 
vessel and cargo are either condemned as a prize, or restored to 
their owners. When either of these courts adjudicate such 
cases, it is called a Prize Court. 

We give the number of Judicial Districts in each State 
as they now exist, and the total number in all the States. 

They are as follows: 


Alabama, 3. 
Arkansas, 2. 
California, 2. 
Connecticut, 1. 


Mississippi, 2. 
Missouri, 2. 
Nevada, 1. 

New Hampshire, 1. 


344 


ADMIRALTY AND MAKrlTIME JURISDICTION. 


Delaware, 1. 

Florida, 2. 

Georgia 2. 

Illinois, 2. 

Indiana, 1. 

Iowa, 1. 

Kansas, 1. 

Kentucky, 1. 
Louisiana, 2. 

Maine, 1. 

Maryland, 1. 
Massachusetts, 1. 
Michigan, 2. 
Minnesota, 1. 

District of Columbia, 


Kew Jersey, 1 
New York, 3. 
North Carolina, 3. 
Nebraska, 1. 

Ohio, 2. 

Oregon, 1. 
Pennsylvania, 2. 
Khode Island, 1. 
South Carolina, 2. 
Tennessee, 3. 
Texas, 2. 

Vermont, 1. 
Virginia, 1. 

West Virginia, 1. 
1. Wisconsin, 1. 
Total, 59. 


CHAPTEK LX. 

ADMIEALTY AND MAKITIME JUKISDICTION. 

In ancient times—and long before this government existed— 
civilized and commercial nations had codes or laws which related 
especially to transactions upon the sea. Those respecting ships 
of war and warlike operations at sea were called the laws of 
Admiralty ; those respecting vessels engaged in commercial 
aifairs were called Maritime laws ; and the courts empowered 
with jurisdiction to hear and try causes, or to take any judicial 
proceedings in those cases, were styled Courts of Admiralty 
and Maritime Jurisdiction. These laws, in many respects, 
differed so materially from the laws relating to affairs on land, 
that the authority and power to take proceedings in and adju¬ 
dicate upon them was conferred upon a particular class of 
courts. Hence we see the origin of the names of such tri¬ 
bunals. 

In this country the United States District Courts have been 



ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME JURISDICTION. 


345 


designated by the laws as the courts which shall have original 
and exclusive authority to adjudicate this class of causes ; yet 
an appeal from the District to the Circuit Courts may be 
taken. 

KIND OF CASES. 

The word Maritime designates that which relates to the sea. 
Yet, in the United States, cases which come within Admiralty 
and Maritime jurisdiction are not restricted to the sea, or to 
transactions relating to business or crimes done on it, but are 
made to embrace those which occur on navigable lakes and 
rivers, and include seizures made for the violation of the laws 
of impost, navigation, or trade, suits for the recovery of sea¬ 
men’s wages, contracts for building, repairing or fitting out 
vessels, and, briefly, all contracts where the subject-matter 
relates to the navigation of the sea. Tlie District Courts have 
Admiralty and Maritime jurisdiction in all these cases, without 
regard to the amount claimed, and in criminal as well as in 
civil suits. 

The foregoing remarks show the workings of our judicial 
system, as it applies to business done, and crimes committed 
upon the high seas. 


CHAPTEK LXI. 

COUKT OF CLAIMS. 

1. This court was established by act of Congress in 1855. 
The law reads thus : “A court shall be established to be called 
the Court of Claims, to consist of three judges, to be appointed 
by the President and Senate, and to hold their offlees during 
good behavior; and the said court shall hear and determine all 
claims founded upon any law of Congress, or upon any regula¬ 
tion of an Executive department, or upon any contract express 
or implied, with the government of the United States; which 
may be suggested to it by a petition filed therein; and also all 
claims which may be referred to said court by either house of 
Congress.” 



346 


COURT OF CLAIMS. 


2. On the third of March, 1863, the jurisdiction of this 
court was enlarged, and two additional judges appointed 
(making five), from the whole number of which the President 
was authorized to appoint one a Chief Justice for said court. 

3. The mode of commencing proceeding before this tribu¬ 
nal is by petition ; in which the claimant must fully set forth 
his claim, how it arose, its amount, and the parties interested 
therein. After the case has been heard and determined, the 
court reports to Congress what its decision is, and if favorable 
to the claimant, a bill is passed for his relief. 

4. It holds one session a year, in Washington, commencing 
on the first Monday in October, and continuing as long as the 
business before it requires. It not only tries claims against the 
government, but by its enlarged jurisdiction, conferred in 1863, 
it also tries counter claims and set-offs which the United States 
may have against the claimant. Appeals are taken from the 
Court of Claims to the Supreme Court of the United States, 
when the amount in controversy exceeds $3,000. 

5. Before the establishment of this court, the only remedy 
persons having claims upon the government had, was by peti¬ 
tioning to Congress for relief; which experience proved to be 
a long, tedious, and expensive mode of obtaining their dues. 
The petition now goes to this court, where it is heard and adju¬ 
dicated in the same form, and by the same rules of procedure 
which are observed in other courts; for Congress has conferred 
upon it all the powers commonly possessed by other courts of 
law. It also has a seal. 

6. It has greatly facilitated the settlement of claims against 
the government, and has relieved Congress of a great amount 
of labor, which was urgently pressed upon it at every session. 

7. In addition to the five judges, it has a Solicitor, an 
Assistant Solicitor, and a Deputy Solicitor, all of whom are 
appointed by the President and Senate; and are officers of the 
court, wliose duty it is faithfully to defend the United States 
in all matters and claims before this court. 


DISTKICT ATTORNEYS. 


34T 


A bailifi*, a clerk, a crier and messenger, all of whom are 
appointed by the court, make up the remaining officials. 

The claimants stand in the relation of plaintiffs, and the 
government in that of defendant. 


CHAPTEE LXII. 

DISTEICT ATTOKNEYS. 

These officers are next in rank to the Judges of the Circuit 
and District Courts with which their duties are connected. 
Their relation to the government, in the class of cases that 
come before those courts, is the same as that of the Attorney 
General in the Supreme Court. They are its official legal coun¬ 
selors in all cases involving the interests of the General Gov¬ 
ernment before the Circuit and District Courts in their several 
districts. They are appointed in the same manner ; that is, 
nominated by the President, and confirmed by the Senate. It 
is their duty “ to prosecute in such district all delinquents for 
crimes and offences cognizable under the authority of the United 
States, and all civil actions in which the United States shall be 
concerned.” They are his clients, and he must enforce their 
rights, and defend them, in the same manner that any attorney 
protects and defends his client in any of the State courts. In 
case of necessity, he may appoint a substitute to act in his 
place. All fees over and above what he is allowed as compen¬ 
sation for his services, he must report and pay into the United 
States Treasury. 

3. He must defend collectors of the customs and other 
revenue officers in his district, when suits are brought against 
them in their official capacity, and must report to the Solicitor 
of the Treasury the number of suits determined and pending 
in his district. And when prize cases have been determined, 
or are pending in the District Court of his district, he must 
report the state and condition of each case to the Secretary of 
the Navy. 



348 


UNITED STATES MARSHALS. 


District Attorneys are appointed for four years, but may be 
removed at the pleasure of the President. Their compensation 
depends on the amount of business to be done in their respec¬ 
tive districts. When important ports of entry, such as New 
York or Boston, lie in their districts, their duties are very 
numerous, and they receive a corresponding compensation. 


CHAPTEK LXIII. 

UNITED STATES MAKSHALS. 

1. United States Marshals are the ministerial officers of the 
United States courts. Their duties and responsibilities are 
very similar, and nearly identical with the duties and respon¬ 
sibilities of sheriffs in the courts of the several States. They 
are appointed by the President and Senate, for a term of four 
years. They appoint their own deputies, and their compensa¬ 
tion consists of fees instead of a salary; and depends entirely 
upon the amount of business they have to transact. There is 
a Marshal in every Judicial District in the United States, and 
there are fifty-nine of these districts in all. Every State forms 
at least one district, while the larger States are divided into 
two or three. 

2. A District Court is held in every district; and it is the 
Marshal’s duty to attend the sittings of these courts, and also 
those of the United States Circuit Courts, when they happen 
to sit in his district. The Marshal for the District of Colum¬ 
bia must also attend the sittings of the Supreme Court, and 
execute its precepts. We have said that they are the ministe¬ 
rial officers of the United States courts; for it is their duty to 
serve-all writs and precepts emanating from them, whether of 
a civil or criminal character; and to execute the judgments 
and decrees of these tribunals; and for this purpose they are 
authorized by law, (if necessary,) to command such assistance 
as they may need in the execution of their duties. Before 
they enter upon the duties of their office, they must be bound 



GEAND JUET. 


349 


to the United States for the faithful performance of them, and 
must solemnly swear to do them, without malice or partiality; 
and that they will take only lawful fees. They are also held 
answerable for the delivery to their successors of all prisoners 
who may be in their custody at the time of their removal, or 
at the expiration of their term of office. 

3. They also have the custody of all vessels and goods 
seized by any officer of the revenue. It is their duty also to 
summon, and to pay jurors and witnesses in behalf of any 
prisoner to be tried for a capital offense, under the laws of the 
United States. In the remarks made under the head “ Cen¬ 
sus,” we stated that it was made the duty of the Marshals to 
superintend and direct the enumeration of the people; and to 
collect such statistical facts as the law requires. This they do 
through deputies, whom they appoint for that special purpose. 

The United States Marshal is also required, on the first day 
of January and July of each year, to make a return of all the 
fees and emoluments of his office to the Secretary of the Inte¬ 
rior; and if they amount to more than $6,000 per year, he 
must pay the surplus into the Treasury of the United States. 

CHAPTEE LXIY. 

GEAND JUEY. 

1. By turning to the fifth article of the amendments to the 
Constitution, you will find these words: “No person shall be 
held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless 
on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury; except in 
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when 
in actual service, in time of war or public danger.” This con¬ 
stitutional provision makes a Grand Jury a very important 
agent or instrumentality in the execution of the laws, and also 
a safeguard of the liberties and rights of the people. It 
secures every person from the expense and disgrace of a trial 
for infamous crimes, unless a Grand Jury of his countrymen 



350 


GRAND JURY. 


shall lind upon inquiry and investigation, that there are good 
reasons for believing that the person so charged has committed 
the alleged offense. 

2. This provision not only protects those who are charged 
with these crimes against the laws of the United States, but 
those also who may be charged with such offenses against the 
laws of any State; for no State can arrest and try any person 
for a capital or infamous crime without these preliminary pro¬ 
ceedings of a Grand Jury; and should it do so, the United 
States Supreme Court would set its laws aside, as contrary to 
the Constitution of the United States. Here we see that the 
government is just as careful to protect its citizens from injus¬ 
tice by hasty judicial proceedings as it is to punish them after 
a fair and impartial trial. 

3. A Grand Jury, when called to take cognizance of viola¬ 
tions of the laws of the United States, to find indictments 
against those who are charged with them, is summoned by a 
judge of a United States court in the circuit or district where 
the alleged crime has been perpetrated; and it must take notice 
of all crimes against the laws of the United States, which may 
be brought to its knowledge, within the circuit or district in 
which it sits. Hence, if ordered by a Circuit Judge, its powers 
extend over all those States which lie in that circuit. But 
when ordered by a District Judge, its powers extend only to 
that district in which it sits, and a district never embraces 
more than one State, and in many cases a State is divided into 
two or three districts. 

4. This shows us how much more extensive is the jurisdic¬ 
tion of a Grand Jury, when acting under the laws of the 
United States, than when acting under State laws. In the 
former it extends generally all over a State, and sometimes 
over several States. But in the latter it is confined to the 
county in which it sits. 

GRAND AND PETIT JURIES. 

A Grand Jury never acts but in criminal cases. A Petit 
Jury acts in both criminal and civil cases. The finding or 


GRAND JURY. 


351 


conclusion arrived at by a Grand Jury is called a presentment, 
or an indictment. • The finding of a Petit Jury is called its 
verdict. 

5. Second, a Grand Jury sits alone (not in the presence of 
the court), and deliberates upon such matters of a criminal 
character as it possesses knowledge of, or which may be 
brought to its notice by the court or by other persons; and 
when it finds that great evils exist, and wrongs have been 
perpetrated, it presents them to the court, and calls the atten¬ 
tion of the law officers to them; which is equivalent to a 
recommendation that judicial proceedings should be com¬ 
menced to abate the evil, or to punish the wrong-doer. This 
is called a presentment of the Grand Jury. 

And when they find, upon such evidence as they have, that 
a great crime has been perpetrated, or that they have good 
reason so to believe, and that it has been perpetrated by some 
person specified, they report their finding or conclusion to the 
Court. This is called an indictment by the Grand Jury; after 
which the person so charged is arrested, if at large, and can 
be found, and is either imprisoned or held to bail tor his 
appearance at court to stand trial. 

6. A Grand Jury never tries a case. It only says to the 
court by its presentment or indictment, that the case pre¬ 
sented, or the person indicted, ought to be brought before the 
court, and tried for the alleged wrong or crime. 

A Petit Jury sits with the court, hears the pleadings and 
arguments of counsel on both sides, listens to the evidence 
of witnesses; and then hears the charge of the judge, as to 
the law applicable to the case; after which they withdraw and 
deliberate alone upon the case, and if they agree in a criminal 
case, their verdict is “Guilty,’’ or “I^ot Guilty;” if in a 
civil suit, they say how much one party is indebted (if any), 
to the other. 

7. The object aimed at in that article of the Constitution 
which stands at the head of this chapter, is to protect persons 
from false charges of crime, and hasty adjudication of such 


352 


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 


charges; for it substantially amounts to a declaration that no 
person shall be punished for a capital or infamous crime, unless 
one jury, before trial, shall, upon information and belief, charge 
him with the offense; and another, after trial, shall find him 
guilty of the alleged crime. 

The above remarks are as applicable to Grand and Petit 
Juries, acting under State, as those which act under the United 
States laws. 


CHAPTEK LXY. 

LOCAL GOYEKNMENTS. 

1. The Supreme powder in the United States is lodged in 
the general government, with its three branches : Legislative, 
Executive, and Judicial. The authority of this government, 
however, is restricted to the powers expressly conferred on it 
by the Constitution ; all other power being reserved to the 
States, or the people. The States also are sovereign in their 
own limits, over all questions not expressly assigned to the 
General Government. Instead of conflict of authority there 
is true harmony. The people elect the members of both the 
classes of legislators and executives, and both are equally 
employed in attending to the interests of the people confided 
to their care; the first to General, the second to Local interests. 
All the members and ofiicers of each are the servants of the 
Sovereign People. 

2. As soon as the general government was organized under 
the Constitution, there arose two parties. One wished to ren¬ 
der the General Government prominent in order to secure con¬ 
centration of strength and vigor of action ; the other desired 
to exalt the State governments in the fear that the general 
government might prove ambitious of too much power, and 
disregard the welfare of the people. As in almost all party 
platforms, both these seemed to take too narrow a view. Wash¬ 
ington was held to sympathize more with the first, Jefferson 



LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 


353 


was the acknowledged leader of the second. Together they 
secured a very fair mingling of both these principles in the 
administration and general policy of the country. A strict 
adherence to the meaning and spirit of the Constitution would 
not seem to give special favor to either, or allow a conflict of 
interests. 

3. The Supreme Court, or the Judiciary, is the regulating, 
or reconciling element, which the Constitution set over the 
whole to see that no undue or improper action should defeat 
its purposes, and that no collisions of authority should occur. 
Its decision is flnal, it being the last resort in cases of appeal; 
and, as the only final and authoritative interpreter of Consti¬ 
tutional Law, it may revise the action of all other branches of 
both general and local government, and put them in harmony. 

4. It is plain that the authors of the Constitution intended 
to fuse the separate elements, or States, into one whole, where 
general matters were concerned; and to leave those elements 
perfectly free and absolute control of all questions involving 
only their separate and local concerns. The People^ and their 
welfare, are the aim and end of both organizations. The pos¬ 
session of powder for ambitious ends by general. State, or muni¬ 
cipal organizations, or by individuals, w^as apparently as foreign 
to the thought of the whole Constitutional convention of 1T8T 
as it seems always to have been to the mind of Washington. 
That great man was the leader of clear-sighted and pure-minded 
statesmen, and whatever weaknesses and faults have existed at 
any time (and there have always been an abundance of them, 
as there were in the times of Washington) among political 
leaders, it must be allow^ed that the Fathers had worthy sons 
who knew how to work correctly the problems left them by 
their predecessors. A single question proved quite unmanage¬ 
able to the sons, as it had before to the fathers, and had to be 
settled by an appeal to arms; but it demonstrated the strength 
of the people and the ability of our institutions to withstand 
the severest shocks. 

5. Tlie original States adopted the Constitution after delib- 

23 


354 


LOCAL GOVEKNMENTS. 


erate study, and all the States since admitted virtually do the 
same. Their general structure in their legislative, executive, 
and judicial arrangements is substantially tlie same as that of 
the General Government. The State Legislatures consist of 
two Houses, chosen in different ways, and for different terms ; 
the relations between them being similar to those of Congress. 
Every State has a governor, answering to the President of the 
United States, wlio is the executive officer of the State govern¬ 
ment. The courts in all are organized on the same principle 
as the Supreme Court of the general government. Although 
there are small variations from the model, in various States, 
they do not affect the general resemblance ; and, due allow¬ 
ance being made for the different subjects to be treated, the 
analysis of the general, or of any of State governments, will 
give a sufficiently correct view of all. 

6. A State cannot make treaties with a foreign power, nor 
declare war against it. It cannot raise a revenue by duties on 
imports, nor control the postal service, or matters involving 
the interests of other States. It has therefore no Department 
for Foreign relations, its Secretary of State dealing only with 
State affairs. It has no Department of War, or Havy, and no 
Postmaster General. The Governor’s signature is necessary 
to the validity of laws passed by the two branches of the legis¬ 
lature, and in most of the States he has a veto power similar 
to that of the President. He has an executive council answer¬ 
ing to the Cabinet. The courts are more numerous than those 
of the general government, to meet the wants of all classes of 
the people; ranging from a Supreme or Constitutional court, 
whose office it is to interpret and apply the constitution of the 
State; through all grades, of Common Pleas, Circuit, District, 
Police, and Kecorder’s courts down to neighborhood courts 
held by Justices of the Peace, or Aldermen. There are various 
others in different States for special purposes. 

7. States are subdivided for purposes of local government 
into counties and towns ; and these into smaller portions for 
educational and other purposes. 


INDIVIDUAL STATES. 


355 


Thus the whole is like an extensive system of machinery, 
wheel being fitted to wheel. From the lowest to the highest 
the people of each local division have entire control over the 
subjects in which they only are interested ; and there is very 
little opportunity for the exercise of arbitrary power. Execu¬ 
tive officers may be changed by election, or impeachment, if 
they do not give satisfaction, or prove unfaithful; and as many 
securities as it is possible to devise are provided against abuses, 
or, if a majority in any State (or the United States) believe 
that an improvement can be made, there are constitutional and 
legal methods for securing it. 

Thus our country is insured against serious discontents for 
which no remedy is at hand ; and from the revolutions and 
internal disturbances that interrupt the progress, and destroy 
the resources of so many other countries. It is a government 
of^ for^ and hy the people. The value of any institution or 
office in the United States, from the school district and director 
to State legislature. Congress, governor, or President, is deter¬ 
mined by the relation it bears to the Public Welfare; and when 
it ceases to be useful there are, as there ought to be, legal means 
for laying it aside. 


CHAPTEE LXYI. 

IlSTDIYIDUAL STATES. 

The original thirteen States are here arranged in the order 
of size—the one having the largest area being placed first. 
They are ranked according to their prese7it area, the claims of 
some of them at first extending to territory since erected into 
States; and one, Yirginia, has been divided. Her former area 
would have ranked her as first. 

The States that follow are placed in the order of their admis¬ 
sion into the Union. 



356 


GEORGIA. 



GEORGIA. 


This State was the last settled of the original thirteen. It 
was founded in the benevolent anxiety of Gen. James Ogle¬ 
thorpe and others to relieve the distresses of the poor in 
England. Those imprisoned for debt were sent out in large 
nnmbers. With this object was connected the desire to prevent 
the extension of the Spanish settlements in Florida, and the 
English government favored the undertaking. Tliis class of 
settlers proving indolent and improvident, a better was attracted 
by laying off many towns, in the best locations, and offering 
fifty acres free to every actual settler. Many Scotch and Ger¬ 
man emigrants improved this opportunity, to the great advan¬ 
tage of the colony. 

Gen. Oglethorpe imitated the wise conduct of Penn, in his 
treaties with the Indians. 

He commenced his settlement at Savannah, in 1733, cheer¬ 
fully assisted by the South Carolinians, who were pleased to 
see a barrier placed between them and the Spaniards. Ogle¬ 
thorpe had several conflicts with them, and succeeded in 
protecting his colony. The introduction of slaves was at first 
forbidden ; but, as the colony seemed to fall behind the neigh¬ 
boring provinces for want of laborers, the restriction was 
removed. In 1752 the company gave up their charter, and 
Georgia became a royal province. It took part with the other 
colonies in resistance to the aggressions of the English minis¬ 
try. at the Revolutionary period, and its condition during the 
war was similar to that of North and South Carolina. Being 
new, and on the frontier, it was not conspicuous. 

The northern part of the State is uneven, the central and 




GEORGIA. 


357 


lower sections productive under a wise and careful culture, but 
easily exhausted under bad management. She has long navi¬ 
gable rivers, and her manufacturing and commercial capabilities 
are excellent. The system of slave-labor and the misfortunes 
of the Civil War have embarrassed her progress, but the energy 
of her people is fast raising her to her proper rank as a nourish¬ 
ing State. 

Georgia has an area of 52,009 square miles, equal to 
33,285,760 acres. She was named after George II. 

The population in 1870 was 1,200,000, which entitles lier to 
nine Representatives in Congress. 

The State lies in the fifth judicial circuit, and has two judicial 
districts; also four ports of entry — Savannah, Brunswick, St. 
Mary’s, and Hardwicke; and two ports of delivery — Augusta 
and Sunbury. 

The capital is Atlanta. The State election is held on the 
first Tuesday in August. The Legislature meets on the second 
Wednesday in January. 

The enacting clause of her laws is : “ Be it enacted by the 

Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia 
in General Assembly met ; and it is hereby enacted by the 
authority of the same.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


William Few, 

from 

1789 

to 

1793. 

James Gunn, 

a 

1789 

u 

1801. 

James Jackson, 

u 

( 1793 

a 

1795. 



I 1801 

u 

1806. 

George Walton, 

u 

1795 

a 

1796. 

Josiah Tatnall, 

a 

1796 

a 

1799. 



( 1796 

u 

1805. 

A. Baldwin, 

a 

I 1805 

u 

1807. 

J. Melledge, 

u 

1806 

(( 

1809. 

George Jones, 

u 

1807 


1807. 

W. H. Crawford, 

u 

1807 

(( 

1813. 



( 1809 

(( 

1813. 

Charles Tait, 

a 

1 1813 

a 

1819. 


568 


NORTH C^VROLINA. 


W. B. Bullock, 
William W. Bibb, 

G. M. Troup, 

John Forsyth, 

F. Walker, 

John Elliot, 

Nicholas Ware, 

T. W. Cobb, 

O. H. Prince, 

John P. King, 

W. Lumpkin, 

J. M. Berrien, 

A. Cuthbert, 

W. T. Colquitt, 

H. V. Johnson, 

W. C. Dawson, 
Bobert Toombs, 

K. M. Charleton, 
Alfred Iverson, 
Joshua Hill, 

Foster Blodgett, 
Thomas M. Norwood, 
John B. Gordon, 


from 

1813 

to 

1813. 


1813 

u 

1816. 

u 

( 1815 

u 

1818. 


( 1829 

u 

1833. 

u 

( 1819 

u 

1819. 


( 1829 

a 

1837. 

u 

1819 

u 

1821. 

u 

1819 

a 

1821. 

n 

1821 

u 

1823. 

u 

1824 

u 

1828. 

u 

1828 

6i 

1829. 

ii 

1833 

u 

1837. 

u 

1837 

u 

1841. 

u 

\ 1825 

u 

1829. 


( 1841 

u 

1851. 

u 

1837 

ii 

1843. 

u 

1843 

ii 

1849. 

u 

1848 

ii 

1849. 

u 

1849 

ii 

1855. 

u 

1853 

ii 

1861. 

u 

1852 

ii 

1853. 

u 

1855 

ii 

1861. 

u 

1871 

ii 

1873. 

u 

1871 

ii 

1877. 

u 

1871 

ii 

1877. 

u 

1873 

ii 

1879. 



NORTH CAROLINA. 

A Florentine navigator, sent out by Francis I., King of 
France, first published an account of this region. lie visited 


NORTH CAROLINA. 


359 


it in 1524. Ribault, a French protestant, sent out with a 
colony by Admiral Coligni, in 1564, named the southern coast 
Carolina, from Charles IX. (in Latin Carolus), King of France. 
The colony was not permanent. In 1585 Sir Walter Raleigh 
made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a colony on Roanoke 
Island. Some fifty years later the colonists of Virginia made 
a settlement in the limits of this State, called Albemarle. 
This territory was patented to a company of noblemen. The 
first colony, founded before this patent was issued, and enjoy¬ 
ing entire liberty, became an asylum from the religious intol¬ 
erance, almost universal at that time. In 1666 they numbered 
800. 

Many French Huguenots, attracted by this freedom and the 
mild climate and extreme fertility of the soil, settled here and 
added greatly to the industrious and virtuous elements of the 
population. The revolutionary struggle was singularly bitter 
and bloody in this State and South Carolina, from the number 
and sanguinary character of the royalists and tories, and from 
the partisan or guerrilla mode of warfare adopted. 

Tlie majority were, however, determined and valiant patriots, 
and rendered it impossible for the British to establish a firm 
control over this part of the country. 

The eastern surface is low, the western mountainous, and 
much of the midland is covered with pine forests which pro¬ 
duce large quantities of turpentine. The soil is favorable to 
agriculture. Yams, rice, and cotton, in addition to the cereals, 
are raised with success. The fisheries in Albemarle Sound are 
an important source of wealth. A large number of minerals 
are found in the State. Like most of the Southern States, its 
resources have been but partially developed. 

This is one of the original thirteen States, and has an 
area of 50,704 square miles, equal to 32,450,560 acres, with a 
population of 1,069,614 (one-third colored), and entitled to 
eight members of Congress. FTorth Carolina, by act of 1866, 
was located in the fourth judicial circuit, which is composed 
of Maryland, Yirginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and 


360 


NORTH CAROLINA. 


South Carolina ; and is divided into three judicial districts, 
called the districts of Albemarle, Pamlico, and Cape Fear. 
The collection districts, and the ports of entry and delivery in 
this State have been so often modified and discontinued that 
there is some uncertainty as to the number. There are, as 
near as we can determine, ten districts, ten ports of entry, and 
nine ports of delivery. 

Ealeigh is the capital. There the Legislature meets bien¬ 
nially on the first Monday in November. The State election 
is held on the first Thursday in August. 

The enacting clause of the laws is as follows : ‘‘ Be it enacted 
by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and 
it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same.’’ 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Samuel Johnson, 

from 

1789 

to 

1793. 

Benjamin Hawkins, 

a 

1789 

u 

1795. 

Alexander Martin, 

u 

1793 

u 

1799. 

Timothy Blood worth, 

a 

1795 

ii 

1801. 

Jesse Franklin, 

u 

( 1799 

u 

1805. 


t 1807 

ii 

1813. 

David Stone, 

n 

1801 

ii 

1813. 

James Turner, 

a 

1805 

ii 

1816. 

Nathaniel Macon, 

a 

1815 

ii 

1828. 

James Iredell, 

u 

1828 

ii 

1831. 

Montford Stokes, 

u 

1816 

ii 

1823. 

John Branch, 

u 

1823 

ii 

1829. 

Bedford Brown, 

u 

1829 

ii 

1840. 

Willie P. Mangum, 

a 

i 1840 

ii 

1853. 


\ 1831 

ii 

1836. 

Robert Strange, 

u 

1836 

ii 

1840. 

William A. Graham, 

u 

1840 

ii 

1843. 

William H. Haywood, 

u 

1843 

ii 

1846. 

George E. Badger, 

u 

1846 

ii 

1855. 

Asa Biggs, 

a 

1854 

ii 

1858. 

David S. Reed, 

u 

1855 

ii 

1859. 

Thomas L. Clingman, 

u 

1858 

ii 

1861. 


NEW YORK. 


361 


Thomas Bragg, from 

Joseph C. Abbott, “ 
John Pool, 

Zebulon B. Yance, 

Matthew W. Kansom, “ 
Augustus S. Merriman, “ 


1859 to 1861. 
1868 “ 1871. 
1868 “ 1873. 
1871 “ 1873. 

- “ 1877. 

1873 “ 1879. 



NEW YORK. 


Tlie “ Empire State ” is very fortunately situated for the 
promotion of all the interests that form the basis of prosperity 
of a Nation. It contains the commercial metropolis of the 
country, which is connected, by its great navigable river, the 
Hudson, and the Erie canal, with the fertile interior and the 
commerce of the chain of great lakes in the west; while Lakes 
Ontario and Champlain furnish the means of profitable trade 
with Canada on the north. As its natural commercial facili¬ 
ties are unrivaled, so also, every auxiliary that can be furnished 
by art is employed to develop its resources and to attract trade 
and manufactures. 

Its river was discovered by the celebrated navigator. Captain 
Henry Hudson, in 1609, and he gave it his name. He was 
employed, at this time by the Dutch, who claimed and settled 
the territory in the following year. They established posts on 
Manhattan Island, where New York now stands, and at Albany 
—calling the country in general, New Netherlands. They held 
it until 1644; laying claim, also, to Connecticut and New Jer¬ 
sey. Their rule was despotic, and when the Duke of Y^ork, 
afterward James II., King of England, sent a squadron to 
enforce English claims to it, the inhabitants declined to resist, 
and it became an English colony without a struggle. The city 


362 


NEW YOKE. 


and colony received the name of l^ew York and continued 
henceforth in English hands. Its position favored a steady 
growth in population and wealth; and it took an active part in 
the Revolution. Its central position made it the pivot of the 
war, the leading struggles taking place in or near it. New 
York city was held by the British during most of the war, but 
the skillful strategy and watchfulness of Washington, and the 
valor of his officers and troops preserved the river in American 
hands throughout. It ratified the Constitution July 26th, 
1788, and soon outstripped every State in all things, except 
education, no State being able to compare with Massachusetts 
in that respect. 

New York is the largest and richest city in the Union. The 
State abounds in salt and mineral springs, and its central and 
western parts are unexcelled for agriculture; while the eastern, 
more mountainous, but nearer to markets, and more abundant 
in water power, is equally favorable to grazing and manu¬ 
factures. 

Its area is 47,000 square miles, equal to 30,080,000 acres. 
The population in 1870 was larger than that of any other State, 
being officially stated at 4,364,411. It has thirty-two Members 
of Congress. 

It forms part of the second judicial circuit, and has three 
judicial districts; eleven ports of entry, and fourteen ports of 
delivery, with the privilege of eight or nine others if the Presi¬ 
dent of the United States deems them necessary. 

The Capital is Albany. The State elections are held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the Legisla- 
lature meets on the first Tuesday in January in each year. Tlie 
style of the enacting clause is: “Be it enacted by the people 
of the State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Philip Schuyler, 

from 

1789 

to 

1791. 

Rufus King, 

u 

i 1789 

u 

1796. 

o' 


I 1813 

u 

1825. 

Aaron Burr, 

it 

1791 

u 

1797. 


NEW YORK. 


John Lawrence, 

John S. Hobart, 
William North, 
James Watson, 
Governenr Morris, 
John Armstrong, 

HeWitt Clinton, 
Theodore Bailey, 
Samuel L. Mitchell, 
John Smith, 

Obadiah German, 

Nathan Sanford, 

Martin Van Buren, 
Charles Dudley, 
William L. Marcy, 
Nath’l P. Tallmadge, 
Silas Wright, 

Daniel S. Dickinson, 
Henry A. Foster, 
John A. Dix, 
William H. Seward, 
Hamilton Fish, 
Preston King, 

Ira Harris, 

Edwin D. Morgan, 
Koscoe Conkling, 
Beuben E. Fenton, 


from 

1796 

to 

1800. 

u 

1798 

n 

1798. 


1798 

a 

1798. 

ii 

1798 

Resigned. 

u 

1800 

u 

1803. 

u 

\ 1800 

a 

1802. 


( 1803 

u 

1804. 

u 

1802 

a 

1803. 

u 

1803 

u 

1804. 

a 

1804 

u 

1809. 

a 

1804 

a 

1813. 

u 

1809 

u 

1815. 

a 

( 1815 

u 

1821. 


t 1825 

u 

1831. 

a 

1821 

u 

1829. 

u 

1829 

u 

1833. 

u 

1831 

a 

1833. 

u 

1833 

a 

1844. 

(( 

1833 

u 

1844. 

u 

1844 

u 

1851. 

u 

1844 

u 

1845. 

u 

1845 

u 

1849. 

u 

1849 

u 

1861. 

u 

1851 

u 

1857. 

u 

1857 

u 

1863. 

u 

1861 

u 

1867. 

u 

1863 

u 

1869 

a 

1867 

a 

1879. 

u 

1869 

a 

1875. 


.364 


PENNSYLVANIA. 



PENNSYLVANIA. 


The Keystone State ” has been eminently fortunate in three 
various ways. Its founder, William Penn, happily united 
benevolence and high political wisdom, with a thrifty and pru¬ 
dent economy, and possessed sufficient influence and tact to 
infuse his colony with his own qualities to a large degree, and 
the advantages acquired in the beginning, have shed their 
favoring influence on all its future, to the present time. 

Penn, as proprietor of his province, had almost kingly 
power; yet, as a law-giver, he acknowledged the liberties of 
the people, and accustomed them to many of the forms of self- 
government afterward incoi’porated into the Constitution of the 
United States. His just and conciliatory conduct toward the 
Indians, and the exemption of Pennsylvania from barbarous 
Indian wars, in consequence, proves the utility of the practice 
of unvarying justice and kindness toward them;^and stands in 
strong and signiflcant contrast with the opposite course, so 
often pursued, and with results so distressing. 

A colony was established by Penn in the southeastern part 
of the State, in thje year 1682. The government was conducted 
by a governor, a council of three, and a House of Delegates, 
chosen by the people. The largest religious liberty was allowed, 
and punishment of crime was mitigated from the severity, cus¬ 
tomary in those times, to something like the mildness now 
practiced among us. 

The colony enjoyed seventy years of enlightened government, 
and prospered greatly. A large immigration of hardy and 
thrifty Germans and Swedes spread over the State and supplied, 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


365 


in Revolutionary times, the “ fighting material ” wliich tho 
religious principles of the Quakers forbade them to furnish. 

The second eminent advantage of the State, was in its cen¬ 
tral position, the facilities furnished to commerce and trade by 
the Delaware river on its eastern boundary, and the Ohio, on 
tlie west, connecting it with the valley of the Mississippi. 

The third superiority, later in development in some of its 
features, relates to its wealth of resources. Lying midway 
between north and south, its climate is temperate and mild. 
Its soil on the eastern border and along the valleys of its 
numerous rivers is of great fertiity; while its inexhaustible 
coal deposits are far more valuable in promoting the steady 
growth of her citizens in wealth than mines of gold. Iron, 
copper, zinc, marble and slate are, apparently, inexhaustible. 
Her railroads and canals furnish a suitable means for the devel¬ 
opment of these resources, and the transportation for all her 
valuable commodities to profitable markets, and prove her later 
citizens to have inherited the economic wisdom and thrift of 
the founder of their State. 

Pennsylvania valiantly bore the share in the struggles and 
sacrifices of the Revolution to which her position, her wealth 
and numbers, called her. Philadelphia—“ The City of Broth¬ 
erly Love ” (the name means this,) was the first capital of the 
Republic. It was there that the Declaration of Independence 
was originated and signed. 

Its area is 46,000 square miles, equal to 29,440,000 acres. 
The population in 1870 was 3,515,993, entitling her to twenty- 
six Representatives in Congress. 

It is in the third judicial circuit; and forms two judicial 
districts. There are two ports of entry, and two collection 
districts. Harrisburg is the capital; the Legislature assem¬ 
bling on the first Tuesday in January, the State elections being 
held the second Tuesday in October. 

The enacting clause of her laws is: “Be it enacted by the 
Senate and House of Renresentatives of the Commonwealth of 


366 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


Pennsylvania in General Assembly met; 

and 

it is hereby 

enacted by the authority of the same.” 




UNITED STATES SENATORS. 



William Maclay, 

from 

1789 

to 

1791. 

Kobert Morris, 

a 

1789 

u 

1795. 

Albert Gallatin, 

u 

1793 

u 

1794. 

James Ross, 

u 

1794 

a 

1803. 

William Bingham, 

u 

1795 

u 

1801. 

Peter Muhlenburgh, 

a 

1801 

u 

1802. 

Samuel Maclay, 

u 

1803 

u 

1808. 

Michael Leib, 

u 

1808 

a 

1814. 

Andrew Gregg, 

a 

1807 

a 

1813. 

Abner Lacock, 


1813 

u 

1819. 

Jonathan Roberts, 

u 

1814 

u 

1821. 

Walter Lawrie, 

u 

1819 

u 

1825. 

William Findlay, 

u 

1821 

u 

1827. 

William Marks, 

u 

1825 

(( 

1831. 

Isaac D. Barnard, 

a 

1827 

a 

1831. 

George M. Dallas, 

u 

1831 

u 

1833. 

William Wilkins, 

u 

1831 

a 

1834. 

Samuel McKean, 

u 

1833 

it 

1839. 

James Buchanan, 

a 

1834 

u 

1845. 

Daniel Sturgeon, 

u 

1839 

a 

1851. 



1845 


1849. 

Simon Cameron, 

“ 1 

1857 

a 

1861. 


1 

1867 

(( 

1873. 

James Cooper, 

u 

1849 

a 

1855. 

Charles R. Buckalew, 

a 

1863 

u 

1869. 

Richard Broadhead, 

u 

1851 

u 

1857. 

William Bigler, 

a 

1855 

u 

1861. 

Edgar Cowan, 

u 

1861 

u 

1867. 

David Wilmot, 

u 

1861 

u 

1863. 

John Scott, 

u 

1869 

66 

1875. 

Simon Cameron, 

a 

18^3 

66 

1879. 


VIRGINIA. 


367 



VIRGINIA. 


“The Old Dominion,” as this State has been called, in 
familiar style, has certain high claims to such a distinctive 
appellation. It was the colony in which the first permanent 
settlement was made, and for fourteen years before the perils 
of the wilderness were encountered by the Puritan Fathers of 
New England, it confronted famine and Indian hostility. Its 
people were quite different in character from those of most of 
the other colonies. While many were from the lowest classes, 
a goodly number of the gentry and nobility of England were 
transplanted to this colony. Some were men of wealth, char¬ 
acter and influence; and the hereditary value of that element 
became conspicuous when revolutionary times came, and the 
colonial government, which had been from the first, kept 
closely dependent on the royal will, being set aside, permitted 
to this class a free field of action. None were more eloquent, 
more zealous, more valiant or wise, during the “ time that tried 
men’s souls.” The talents, patriotism, and wisdom of Wash¬ 
ington, Jefierson, Madison, Monroe, and many others almost 
equally useful, attest the quality of the Virginian stock of 
patriots, and shed honor on their native State. 

It was settled in 1807, at Jamestown. The infant colony 
was long exposed to danger of destruction by Indian hostility; 
but, favored by circumstances, grew up to strength, and became 
a protection to others. An almost constant struggle was main¬ 
tained with the royal governors, who were disposed to encroach 
on their liberties. Notwithstanding the number of decayed 
and worthless gentlemen, and the dregs of the English popu¬ 
lace, who entered as components into her population, as a 



368 


VIRGINIA. 


wliole, they proved worthy of tlie republic tliey so largely 
helped to rear. Their best blood was spilled in its cause, and 
their material support was never withheld in time of need. 

Tliis State is much varied in surface. In the southeast it is 
low and level; in the west and northwest mountainous, with 
numerous large streams and fertile vallies, and a charming 
climate. Its mineral wealth of coal, iron and salt is very 
great; its water power for manufacturing purposes unsur¬ 
passed; and its commercial position everything to be desired. 
None of these advantages have been more than partially 
improved; and the future of the State is destined to be exceed¬ 
ingly brilliant. Old and flourishing colleges testify to the 
interest taken in education; and railroads and other means of 
internal development have already prepared the way for its 
greatness. She exports tobacco, flour, oysters, and cotton, and 
her agricultural wealth is constantly improving. 

Virginia is also one of the original thirteen States, and had 
an area previous to the division in 1862, of 61,352 square 
miles, equal to 39,265,280 acres; but after West Virginia was 
set olf as a separate State, there were but 38,352 square miles 
left of this once great State, equal to 24,545,280 acres. 

The population in 1860 amounted to 1,596,318, which enti¬ 
tles the State to nine Members of Congress. By the division 
the number of Kepresentatives was cut down to eight; the 
new State receiving three out of the eleven. Population in 
1870, 1,224,830. 

Virginia lies in the fourth judicial circuit, which by the act 
of 1866, was composed of this State, Maryland, West Vir¬ 
ginia, and North Carolina and South Carolina. There were 
two judicial districts in this State, anterior to the division; the 
Eastern and the Western. There is now but one. 

There were also twelve collection districts in this State, and 
twelve ports of entry, all of which remain the same as they 
were before West Virginia was cut off*, for they were all located 
on the Atlantic coast, or on the bays and rivers running into 
the Atlantic Ocean; there are also ten ports of delivery. 

Richmond is the capital. The State election is held on the 


\aRGINIA. 


B69 


Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets on the first Monday in December. 

The enacting clause of the laws of Virginia is: “ Beit 
enacted by the General Assembly.” 

UNITED STATES SENATOES. 


William Grayson, 

from 

1789 

to 

1790. 

Richard H. Lee, 

u 

1789 

44 

1792. 

John Walker, 


1790 

44 

1790. 

James Monroe, 

ii 

1790 

44 

1794. 



( 1792 

a 

1794. 

John Taylor, 

44 

} 1803 


1805. 



( 1822 

44 

1824. 

Stephen T. Mason, 

44 

1794 

44 

1803. 

J ohn Tazewell, 

44 

1794 

44 

1799. 

Wilson C. Nichols, 

44 

1799 

44 

1804. 

Abraham B. Venable, 

44 

1803 

44 

1804. 

William B. Giles, 

44 

1804 

44 

1815. 

Andrew Moore, 

44 

1804 

44 

1809. 

Richard Brent, 

44 

1809 

44 

1815. 

James Barbour, 

44 

1815 

44 

1825. 

Armistead T. Mason, 

44 

1816 

44 

1817. 

John W. Eppes, 

44 

1817 

44 

1819. 

eTames Pleasant, 

44 

1819 

44 

1822. 

John Randolph, 

44 

1825 

44 

1827. 

Littleton W. Tazewell, 

44 

1824 

44 

1832. 

John Tyler, 

44 

1827 

44 

1836. 


j 1832 

44 

1834. 

William C. Rives, 

U 

( 1836 

44 

1845. 

Benjamin W. Leigh, 

44 

1834 

44 

1836. 

Richard E. Parker, 

44 

1836 

44 

1837. 

William H. Roane, 

44 

1837 

44 

1841. 

William S. Archer, 

44 

1841 

44 

1847. 

Isaac S. Pennybacker, 

44 

1845 

44 

1847. 

James M. Mason, 

44 

1847 

44 

1861. 

R. M. T. Hunter, 

44 

1847 

44 

1861. 

John W. Johnston, 

44 

1870 

44 

1877. 

John F. Lewis, 

44 

1870 

44 

1875. 


370 


SOUTH CAROLINA. 



SOUTH CAROLINA. 


The first permanent settlement in this State was made in 
1670, at Port Royal, where the French Huguenots had failed 
three-quarters of a century before. The noble company who 
had received a charter for the settlement and government of 
the Carolinas employed the celebrated philosopher, John 
Locke, to draw up a philosophical plan of goverment, which 
they attempted to carry into effect to the great annoyance of 
the colonists. It proved impracticable, and was finally aban¬ 
doned. 

The French introduced the culture of the vine with success, 
and rice was brought at an early day from Madagascar, the 
cultivation of which became extensive. 

Many vexations were endured by the colonists by the inju¬ 
dicious management of the proprietary government, and at 
length they, by petition, obtained a revocation of the charter, 
receiving, in 1720, a governor appointed by the crown. They 
endured for many years all the horrors of warfare with the 
Tuscarora Indians, whom they finally defeated and expelled 
Rutledge, Sumpter, and Marion were distinguished leaders of 
the patriots during the occupation of the State by the British 
forces; employing with success a partisan warfare, and defy¬ 
ing the eflforts of a superior British force to hold the State in 
subjection. 

The climate has been likened to that of Italy, and the pro¬ 
ducts of the north and of the tropics are equally cultivated. 
The State abounds in agricultural and manufacturing resources, 
and has a fine commercial position. 

South Carolina is one of the original thirteen States, and 


SOUTH CAROLINA. 


371 


has an area of 29,385 square miles, making 18,806,400 acres, 
with a population, in 1870, of 728,000, (over half colored,) 
which gives her five Members of Congress. 

By an act of 1866, South Carolina was located in the fourth 
judicial circuit; it is divided into two judicial districts, called 
the Eastern and Western. 

There are three collection districts in this State, and four 
ports of entry, to-wit: Georgetown, Charleston, Beaufort and 
Port Boyal; but no ports of delivery. 

The capital is Columbia. The State elections are held oii 
the fourth Monday in November. The Legislature meets on 
the third Wednesday in October. 

The enacting clause of the laws is as follows: ‘^Be it enacted 
by the Honorable the Senate and House of Bepreseiitatives, 
now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by authority 
of the same.’’ 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


John C. Calhoun, 


William C. Preston, 
Daniel E. Huger, 


William Harper, 
Robert J. Hane, 
Stephen D. Miller, 


Ralph Izard, 
Jacob Read, 

John Hunter, 
Charles Pinckney, 
Thomas Sumpter, 
John E. Calhoun, 
John Gaillard, 
John Taylor, 

William Smith, 


Pierce Butler, 


from 


a 


u 


u 




u 


u 


a 


u 




( 1790 to 1796. 
( 1802 “ 1804. 

1789 “ 1795. 

1795 “ 1801. 

1796 “ 1798. 

1798 “ 1801. 

1801 “ 1810. 
1801 “ 1802. 
1804 “ 1826. 

1810 “ 1816. 

( 1816 “ 1823. 

1 1826 “ 1831. 
1826 “ 1826. 
1823 “ 1832. 

1831 “ 1833. 

( 1832 “ 1842. 

1 1845 “ 1850. 
1833 to 1842. 
1842 “ 1845. 


372 


MAKYLAND. 


George McDufiie, 

from 

1842 

to 

1846. 

Andrew P. Butler, 

it 

1846 

u 

1857. 

Franklin H. Elmore, 

a 

1850 

a 

1850. 

Robert W. Barnwell, 

a 

1850 

u 

1852. 

William Desaussure, 


1852 

u 

1852. 

JosiaH Evans, 

u 

1852 

u 

1858. 

James H. Hammond, 

a 

1857 

a 

1860. 

James Chestnut, 

(( 

1858 

a 

1861. 

Arthur P. Hayne, 

a 

1858. 



Thomas J. Robertson, 

a 

1868 

(( 

1877. 

Frederick A. Sawyer, 

u 

1868 

u 

1873. 

John J. Patterson, 

u 

1873 

a 

1879. 



MARYLAND. 


This territory at first was included in the patent to the Vir¬ 
ginia colony; but was, in 1632, re-patented to Lord Baltimore, 
an English nobleman, who had embraced the catholic faith, 
and sought, in the American wilderness, an asylum where he 
and his co-religionists might enjoy the freedom from persecu¬ 
tion denied them in England. It was called Maryland from 
tlie queen of Charles I., King of England. A part of this 
patent was covered by that subsequently made to William 
Penn, and produced much trouble between the descendants of 
these men, and their respective colonies. A settlement was 
commenced, mainly by catholic gentlemen, in 1634, and called 
St. Mary’s, on a branch of the Potomac. 

The wise liberality that distinguished the settlement of Penn¬ 
sylvania marked all the earlier history of Maryland. They 
cultivated friendly relations with the natives and with their 
neighbors. Lord Baltimore was liberal in his expenditures for 



MARYLAND. 


373 


the growing colony, and ga\'e them a liberal gov^ernment. 
When the civil war commenced in England, resulting in the 
death of Charles 1. and the rise of Cromwell to power, the 
hrst troubles of the colonists of Maryland began, and continued 
until 1716, when the heirs of the original proprietor resumed 
their rights and maintained them until the Eevolution. 

This State was one of the original thirteen, and gave a hearty 
support to the patriot side during the war for freedom. 

The surface of the country is, in great part, low and sandy; 
the climate agreeable and the soil favorable to agricultural 
pursuits. Her commercial position is excellent, being situated 
on either side of Chesapeake bay and bounded by the Potomac 
river on the west. The District of Columbia, containing the 
National Capital, was located on the last named river within 
her limits. 

Maryland has an area of 11,124 square miles — equal to 
7,119,360 acres. The population in 1870 was 780,806, which 
gives her six Representatives in Congress. By an act of Con¬ 
gress, passed in 1866, this State was put in the fourth judicial 
circuit, which is composed of Maryland, Virginia, West Vir¬ 
ginia, North and South Carolina. Maryland constitutes one 
judicial district; has ten ports of entry, viz.: Baltimore, Ches¬ 
ter, Oxford, Vienna, Snow-Hill, Annapolis, Nottingham, St. 
Mary’s, Georgetown, and Havre de Grace ; and twelve ports 
of delivery. 

Annapolis is the capital. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets on the first Wednesday in January. • 

The enacting clause of the laws is as follows: Be it enacted 
by the General Assembly of Maryland.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Charles Carroll, } 
(of Carrollton) ^ 
John Henry, 
Richard Potts, 
Jolm E. Howard, 


1789 to 1793. 

1789 “ 1797. 
1793 “ 1796. 

1796 “ 1803. 


374 


MARYLAND. 


James Lloyd, 

William Hindman, 
Robert Wright, 

Samuel Smith, 

Philip Reed, 

R. H. Goldsborough, 

Robert G. Harper, 
Alexander C. Hanson, 
William Pinckney, 
Edward Lloyd, 

Ezekiel F. Chambers, 
Joseph Kent, 

John S. Spence, 
William D. Merrick, 
John Leidsker, 

James A. Pearce, 

Reverdy Johnson, 

David Stuart, 

Thomas G. Pratt, 
Anthony Kennedy, 
Thomas H. Hicks, 
John A. J. Cresswell, 
Philip F. Thomas, 
George Vickers, 
William T. Hamilton, 
George R. Dennis, 


from 

1797 

to 

1800. 

a 

1800 

u 

1801. 

u 

1801 

u 

1806. 

a 

( 1803 

it 

1815. 


( 1822 

u 

1833. 

u 

1806 

ii 

1813. 

u 

i 1813 

a 

1819. 


t 1835 

ii 

1836. 

u 

1816 

u 

1816. 

u 

1816 

u 

1819. 

a 

1819 

a 

1822. 

u 

1819 

u 

1826. 

u 

1826 

a 

1835. 

ii 

1833 

u 

1838. 

u 

1836 

u 

1841. 

u 

1838 

a 

1845. 

u 

1841 

a 

1843. 

u 

1843 

a 

1862. 

u 

( 1845 

a 

1851. 


\ 1863 

u 

1868. 

u 

1849 

u 

1850. 

u 

1850 

a 

1857. 

u 

1857 

u 

1863. 

u 

1862 

u 

1864. 

u 

1865 

u 

1867. 

u 

— 

(( 

1867. 

u 

1868 

u 

1873. 

u 

1869 

<< 

1875. 

u 

1873 

u 

1879. 


NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


375 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


This State is often called “ The Old Granite State,” as well 
from its mountainous character as the resolute spirit of its 
inhabitants. It is small, having an area of only 9,280 scpiare 
miles, which make 5,939,200 acres. Its population in 1870 was 
318,300, entitling it to two Representatives in Congress. 

The hrst settlement was founded at Dover, in 1624, by the 
English. It suifered much from Indian wars, and its growth 
was slow. It was made a separate province in 1680, having 
previously been under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. It 
was one of the original thirteen States, and took an active and 
vigorous part in the Revolutionary War. 

Its soil is light and unfavorable to agriculture, but furnishes 
good pasturage and produces fine cattle. It contains the White 
Mountains, the highest in New England. Its streams are 
utilized for manufacturing purposes. Quarries of marble and 
granite abound. Minerals, and precious stones of several vari¬ 
eties are found in various parts of the State. Tlie hardy and 
enterprising sons to whom it has given birth are to be found 
in every State in the Union. 

It lies in the first judicial circuit ; constitutes one judicial 
district; and is embraced in one collection district, and there¬ 
fore has but one port of entry. There are three ports of 
delivery. 

The capital is Concord. The Legislature assembles on the 
first Monday in June, the State election being held the second 
Tuesday in March. 

The enacting clause of the laws runs thus : ‘‘Re it enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assem¬ 
bly convened.” 


376 


NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Paine Wingate, 

from 

1789 

to 

1793. 

Job 11 Langdon, 

u 

1789 

a 

1801. 

Samuel Livermore, 

a 

1793 

u 

1801. 

Simeon Olcott, 

u 

1801 

u 

1805. 

James Slieafe, 

a 

1801 

a 

1802. 

William Plummer, 

u 

1802 

u 

1807. 

Nicholas Gilman, 

(( 

1805 

u 

1814. 

Nahum Parker, 

u 

1807 

u 

1810. 

Charles Cutts, 

u 

1810 

a 

1813. 

Jeremiah Mason, 

u 

1813 

a 

1817. 

Thomas W. Thompson 

a 

1814 

a 

1817. 

David L. Morrill, 

a 

1817 

a 

1823. 

Clement Storer, 

a 

1817 

U 

1819. 

John F. Parrott, 

u 

1819 

a 

1825. 

Samuel Bell, 

u 

1823 

u 

1835. 

Levi Woodbury, 


( 1825 

1 1841 

u 

1831. 

1845. 

Isaac Hill, 

a 

1831 

ii. 

1835. 

Henry Hubbard, 

a 

1835 

u 

1841. 

John Page, 

u 

1836 

u 

1837. 

Franklin Pierce, 

u 

1837 

u 

1842. 

Leonard Wilcox, 

u 

1842 


1842. 

Charles G. Atherson, 

u 

j 1843 

a 

1849. 


( 1852 

u 

1853. 

Penning W. Jenness, 

a 

1845 

n 

1846. 

Joseph Cilley, 

u 

1846 

a 

1847. 

John P. Hale, 

u 

( 1847 

u 

1853. 


( 1855 

(( 

1865. 

Moses Norris, 

u 

1849 

u 

1855. 

Jared W. Williams, 


1853 

u ' 

1854. 

John S. Wells, 


1855 

u 

1855. 

James Bell, 

a 

1855 

u 

1857. 

Daniel Clark, 

u 

1857 

a 

1866. 

George C. Fogg, 

U 

1866 

u 

1867. 

James W. Paterson, 

U 

1867 

a 

1873. 

Aaron H. Cragin, 

ii 

1867 

u 

1877. 

Bainbridge Wadleigh, 

u 

1873 

a 

1879. 


NEW JERSEY. 


377 



NEW JERSEY. 

This State was first settled at Bergen by the Swedes sent 
over by the Christian hero-king, Gnstavus Adolphus, in the 
year 1638. They, however, soon fell under the control of the 
Dutch, who claimed the territory. The next settlement was 
made at Elizabethtown, from Long Island, in 1664. New 
Jersey came into the hands of the English along with New 
Netherlands, but soon became an independent province; Philip 
Carteret becoming its first governor, in 1665. It was for some 
time under the control of the celebrated Quaker, William Penn, 
received a liberal form of government, and, not sufiering from 
the Indians enjoyed prosperity for many years. Afterwards 
it passed through various vicissitudes in its government, was 
for a time joined to New York, but recovered its independent 
existence in 1738; and was one of the original thirteen States, 
taking a very prominent part in the Revolution. Its territory, 
lying between New York and Philadelphia, was the field on 
which the hostile armies fought and manouvered, for some 
years. It ratified the Constitution unanimously, December 
18th, 1787. It has been rewarded for its patriotism and devo¬ 
tion to liberty by unbroken prosperity. Its manufactures are 
in a flourishing state. Its vicinity to the great commercial 
centres of the Atlantic coast; the mildness of its climate, and 
the adaptation of its soil to the growth of fruit and vegetables 
have made it the Garden State of the Union. Its agricultural 
wealth is much increased by its abundant beds of marl and 
peat. The extreme north is hilly and the extreme south low 
and sandy. Education receives much attention. 

It has an area of 8,320 square miles, or 5,324,800 acres. 



378 


NEW JERSEY. 


Tile population, by the census ot 1870, was 905,794, which 
gives her seven Kepresentatives in Congress. 

This State lies in the third judicial circuit, and forms one 
judicial district. There are six ports of entry, and as many 
collection districts; and also eight ports of delivery. 

Its capital is Trenton. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the Legisla¬ 
ture assembles the second Tuesday in January. 

The form of tlie enacting clause is as follows: ‘‘Be it 
enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of 
New Jersey.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Jonathan Elmer, 
William Patterson, 
Philemon Dickerson, 
John Eutherford, 
Fred’k Frelinghuysen, 
Richard Stockton, 
Franklin Davenport, 
James Schureman, 
Jonathan Dayton, 
Aaron Ogden, 

John Condit, 

Aaron Kitchell, 

John Lambert, 

Mahlon Dickerson, 
James J. Wilson, 

Samuel L. Southard, 

Joseph Mcllvaine, 
Thos. Frelinghuysen, 
Ephraim Bateman, 
Garret D. Wall, 

Jacob Miller, 

William L. Dayton, 
John B. Thompson, 


from 

1789 

to 

1791. 

u 

1789 

a 

1790. 

u 

1790 

a 

1793. 

t u 

1791 

u 

1798. 

u 

1793 

u 

1796. 

u 

1796 

u 

1799. 

a 

1798 

‘‘ 

1799. 

u 

1799 

u 

1801. 

u 

1799 

u 

1805. 

u 

1801 

u 

1803. 

u 

1803 

u 

1811. 

a 

1805 

u 

1809. 

u 

1809 

u 

1815. 

a 

1817 

(( 

1833. 

u 

1815 

u 

1821. 


i 1821 

u 

1823. 


( 1833 

ii 

1841. 

u 

1823 

u 

1826. 

u 

1829 

u 

1835. 

u 

1826 

u 

1829. 

u 

1835 

u 

1841. 

ii 

1841 

u 

1853. 

u 

1842 

u 

1851. 

a 

1853 

(( 

1863. 


MASSACHUSEITS. 


379 


William Pennington, 

from 

1858 

to 

1858. 

William Wright, 

u 

i 1853 

u 

1859. 


( 1863 

a 

1866. 

Robert F. Stockton, 

u 

1851 

u 

1853. 

John C. TenEyck, 

u 

1859 

u 

1865. 

Richard S. Field, 

u 

1862 

u 

1863. 

James W. Wall, 

u 

1863 

u 

1863. 

John P. Stockton, 

a 

1865 

a 

1866. 

F. T. Frelinghuysen, 

a 

1867 

u 

1869. 

Alexander G. Cattell, 

u 

1866 

u 

1871. 

John P. Stockton, 

u 

1869 

u 

1875. 

F. T. Frelinghuysen, 

u 

1871 

u 

1877. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 


The ‘‘ Bay State/’ so named from the deep encroachments 
of the sea on her eastern border, was settled in 1620, at Ply¬ 
mouth, by English Puritans; a class of sternly pious men, who 
abandoned England to find freedom of worship in the savage 
wilds of America. They were men of great resolution and 
intelligence, and succeeded in imbuing the new coloiiy with a 
fair degree of their own virtue. They suffered much, at first, 
from deprivation of the comforts they had left in England, and 
from the hostility of the Indians. They were too much in 
earnest to be tolerant, and persecutions of pretended witches, 
of Quakers and Baptists, have given them an unenviable 
notoriety. 

This State was a leading one among the original thirteen, 
and the first to take up arms and to be invaded by the British 
forces at the commencement of the War of the Revolution. 
Her influence on the national character has been great. 



380 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


This State is the first in the Union for cotton and woolen man¬ 
ufactures, its cotton mills alone employing about twenty-five 
thousand hands. In extent of all its manufactures it is third 
in the Union. The soil is sterile in great part, but the energy 
of the people finds abundant other sources of wealth. Com¬ 
merce and fisheries receive much attention, and produce much 
wealth. 

Education is carefully attended to, and its public school sys¬ 
tem a model for other States. She has an area of 7,800 
square miles. Her population in 1870 was 1,457,351, and 
entitles her to eleven Members of Congress. It is in the first 
judicial circuit, and forms one judicial district. There are 
fourteen ports of entry, and twenty-five ports of delivery in 
this State. 

Boston is the Capital, the metropolis of Hew England, and 
an important center of intellectual and business energy. The 
Legislature meets on the first Wednesday in January, and the 
State elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday 
in January. 

The enacting clause is: Be it enacted by the Senate and 

House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by 
the authority of the same, as follows: ” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Tristram Dalton, 

from 

1789 

to 

1791. 

Caleb Strong, 

u 

1789 

a 

1796. 

George Cabot, 


1791 

a 

1796. 

Theo. Sedgewick, 


1796 

a 

1799. 

Benj. Goodhue, 

a 

1796 

a 

1800. 

Samuel Dexter, 

‘‘ 

1799 

u 

1800. 

Dwight Foster, 

a 

1800 

u 

1803 

Jonathan Mason, 

u 

1800 

u 

1803. 

John Q. Adams, 

u 

1803 

u 

1808. 

Timothy Pickering, 

n 

1803 

u 

1811. 

James Lloyd, 

ii 

( 1808 

u 

1813. 


( 1822 

u 

1826. 

Joseph B. Yarnum, 

a 

1811 

u 

1817. 

Christopher Gore, 

u 

1813 

u 

1816. 


CONNECTICUT. 


381 


Eli P. Ashmun, 

from 

1816 

to 

1818. 

Harrison Gray Otis, 

u 

1817 

u 

1822. 

Prentiss Mellen, 


1818 

(( 

1820. 

Elijah H. Mills, 

a 

1820 

u 

1827. 

Nathaniel Silsbee, 


1826 

u 

1835. 

Daniel Webster, 

u 

i 1827 

ii 

1841. 


( 1845 

u 

1850. 

Rufus Choate, 

u 

1841 

a 

1845. 

John Davis, 

u 

j 1835 

a 

1841. 


I 1845 

u 

1853. 

Isaac C. Bates, 

ii. 

1841 

u 

1845. 

Robert C. Winthrop, 

u 

1850 

u 

1851. 

Robert Rantoul, 

a 

1851 

u 

1851. 

Edward Everett, 

u 

1853 

u 

1854. 

Julius Rockwell, 

u 

1854 


1855. 

*Henry Wilson, 

u 

1855 

u 

1873. 

Charles Sumner, 

u 

1851 

u 

1874. 

George S. Boutwell, 

u 

1873 

(( 

1877. 

William Washburn, 

a 

1874 

a 

1875. 

Elected Vice President, and 

when 

inaugurated 

Mr. 

Boutwell 


elected to fill out the unexpired term. 



CONNECTICUT. 


This State takes its name from its principal river, which,, 
entering from the north, runs through the State nearly in the 
center. It was settled in 1633 from Massachusetts, the fer¬ 
tility of the valley of the Connecticut attracting them to brave 
the perils of conflict with the Indians, and with the Dutch, 
settled where 'New York now stands, who laid claim to it. 
The Dutch withdrew, the Indians were subdued in many bloody 


382 


CONNECTICUT. 


battles, and a Puritan State—exceeding, if possible, the relig¬ 
ious strictness of the Massachusetts colony, and not behind her 
in energy, in virtue, in attention to education, and love ot lib¬ 
erty—soon grew up to wealth and prosperity. 

A decisive battle in 1636, on the Mystic river, annihilated 
the Pequod Indians. 

Connecticut, in 1700, followed the example set by Massachu¬ 
setts in 1638, by founding Yale college, which, to this day, 
very fairly rivals Harvard in the former State. Both have 
contributed largely to the intelligence and culture of the Ameri¬ 
can people. It took a leading part in the Bevolution; ratified 
the constitution June 9th, 1788; and has displayed the zeal 
in promoting the public good that has been so prominent in 
the cultivation of her educational and material interests. 

The surface of the State is uneven and rocky. Manufactures 
and commerce are the leading interests, although agriculture is 
not neglected. It is rich in minerals. Gold, silver, lead, iron, 
cop]>er and bismuth are found, while marble, of fine quality, 
and granite abound. 

Its area is small, embracing only 4,674 square miles, or 
2,991,360 acres. It has four representatives in Congress. The 
population in 1870 was 537,418. It is part of the second judi¬ 
cial circuit, and constitutes one judicial district. She has five 
ports of entry, and five collection districts, with twenty-two 
ports of delivery. 

It has had two capitals ever since the first two colonies, 
established at Hartford and New Haven, were united; and 
holds her State election on the first Monday in April. The 
Legislature meets the first Wednesday in May. 

The enacting clause runs thus: ‘‘ Be it enacted by the Sen¬ 
ate and House of Representatives in General Assembly con¬ 
vened.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

Oliver Ellsworth, from 1789 to 1796. 

William S. Johnson, “ 1789 “ 1791. 

Roger Sherman, “ 1791 1793. 


DELAWAKE. 


383 


S. M. Mitchell, 

from 

1793 

to 

1795. 

Jonathan Trumbull, 

u 

1795 

(( 

1796. 

Uriah Tracey, 

ii 

1796 

a 

1807. 

J. Hillhouse, 

u 

1796 

u 

1810. 

C. Goodrich, 

a 

1807 

u 

1813. 

S. W. Dana, 

u 

1810 

u 

1821. 

David Doggett, 

a 

1813 

ii 

1819. 

James Lanman, 

a 

1819 

a 

1825. 

E. Boardman, 

u 

1821 

u 

1823. 

H. W. Edwards, 

u 

1823 

a 

1827. 

Calvin Willey, 

a 

1825 

a 

1831. 

Samuel A. Foot, 

a 

1827 

u 

1833. 

G. Tomlinson, 


1831 

u 

1837. 

hlathan Smith, 

a 

1833 

a 

1835. 

John M. Mies, 

(( 

( 1835 

a 

1839. 


( 1843 

(( 

1849. 

Perry Smith, 

a 

1837 

(( 

1843. 

Thaddeus Betts, 

a 

1839 

u 

1840. 

J. W. Huntington, 

a 

1840 

u 

1847. 

R. S. Baldwin, 

a 

1847 

(( 

1851. 

Truman Smith, 

a 

1849 

(( 

1855. 

Isaac Toucey, 

u 

1852 

u 

1857. 

Francis Gillette, 

(( 

1854 

u 

1856. 

L. S. Foster, 

a 

1855 

u 

1867. 

James Dixon, 

a 

1857 

u 

1869. 

Orris S. Ferry, 

a 

1867 

u 

1879. 

W. A. Buckingham, 

u 

1869 

a 

1875. 



DELAWARE. 


The first settlement of Delaware was made by the Swedes, 





384 


DELAWARE. 


in pursuance of the policy of the valiant Gustavus Adolphus, 
king of Sweden. European wars, in which he was engaged, 
and in which he lost his life in 1633, deferred the project, but 
it was carried into effect in 1638, near the present city of Wil¬ 
mington. They extended tiieir settlements from the entrance 
of Delaware bay far up the river, until the Dutch, from New 
Netherlands, who claimed the country, attacked and reduced 
them to submission, uniting New Sweden, as it had been called, 
to their own colony, in the year 1655. It fell, with that col¬ 
ony, into the hands of the English in 1664. It was included 
in the grant made to William Penn, in 1692. It was long 
attached to Pennsylvania, but in 1703 received permission to 
form a separate government, on the wise and liberal plan pur¬ 
sued by Penn. This form of government continued through 
the Kevolutionary war. 

The surface of the State is level, or gently undulating, the 
climate is agreeable, except that, in winter, the sea breeze is 
somewhat harsh; the soil is sandy but fertile. Grain and 
fruit are raised, peaches being produced in great profusion. 
Her commercial and manufacturing business is limited, and 
she is destitute of mineral wealth. 

It is next to Phode Island in size, containing the small area 
of 2,120 square miles, or 1,356,800 acres. Population 125,015. 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


George Read, 

from 

1789 

to 

1793. 

R. Bassett, 

u 

1789 


1793. 

John Vining, 


1793 

« 

1798. 

Kensey Johns, 


1794 

u 

1795. 

Henry Latimer, 

a 

1795 

a 

1801. 

Joshua Clayton, 

u 

1798 

u 

1799. 

W. H. Wells, 

a 

i 1799 

u 

1804. 



1 1813 

(( 

1817. 

Samuel White. 

a 

1801 

u 

1810. 

J. A. Bayard, 

a 

1804 

u 

1813. 

0. Horsey, 

a 

1810 

u 

1821. 

N. Yan Dyke, 

u 

1817 

u 

1826. 


RHODE ISLAND. 


385 


C. A. Rodney, 

T. Clayton, 

D. Rodney, 

H. Ridgely, 

L. McLane, 

J. M. Clayton, 

A. Naudain, 

R. H. Bayard, 

P. Spruance, 

John Wales, 

J. A. Bayard, 

M. W. Bates, 

J. P. Comeygs, 

W. Sauls bury, 

G. R. Riddle, 

J. A. Bayard, 
Thomas F. Bayard, 
Eli Saulsbury, 


from 1822 to 1823. 

1824 “ 1827. 

1837 “ 1847. 
1826 ‘‘ 1827. 
1827 “ 1829. 

1827 1829. 

j 1829 “ 1837. 

( 1845 ‘‘ 1849. 

1830 ‘‘ 1836. 
1836 “ 1845. 
1847 “ 1853. 
1849 ‘‘ 1851. 

1851 “ 1864. 

1857 “ 1859. 
1856 1857. 

1859 1871. 

1864 ‘‘ 1867. 

1867 ‘‘ 1869. 
1869 ‘‘ 1875. 
1871 « 1877. 



RHODE ISLAND. 

This is the smallest of the States, having an area of but 
1,306 square miles, or 835,840 acres. 

It was settled in 1636 by Roger Williams, and became an 
avowed place of refuge for persecuted Christians of all names., 
but especially for Baptists, among whom Mr. Williams was a 
leader. It was chartered as a separate colony in 1644, and the 
excellent constitution framed under it lasted until 1818. It 
25 


386 


RHODE ISLAND. 


was one of the original thirteen States and took an eamest 
share in the struggles of the revolution, though it was not 
represented in the convention that framed the Constitution, 
and did not ratify it until 1790. 

Its citizens are mainlj engaged in the manufacturing and 
commercial pursuits for which their excellent harbors and 
streams furnish eminent facilities. It has always been pros¬ 
perous, its people being distinguished for industry and activity. 
Its population was, in 1870, 217,356. 

Rhode Island forms part of the first judicial circuit; consti¬ 
tutes one judicial district; and has three ports of entry, and 
seven of delivery. It has two capitals, having been originally 
formed of two separate colonies. These are Providence and 
Newport. The election for State officers is held on the first 
Wednesday in April. The Legislature is held twice in the 
year, in May and Jannarv. The style of her enacting clause 
is: “It is enacted by the General Assembly, as follows.” 


UNITim STATES SENATORS. 


Theodore Foster, 

from 

1790 

to 

1803. 

Joseph Stanton, 

u 

1790 

u 

1793. 

William Bradford, 

u 

1793 

u 

1797. 

Ray Green, 

ti 

1797 

u 

1801. 

Charles Ellery, 

u 

1801 

a 

1805. 

Samuel L. Potter, 

ii 

1803 

a 

1804. 

Benjamin Howland, 

H 

1804 

a 

1809. 

James Fenner, 

ii 

1805 

u 

1807. 

Elisha Matthewson, 

u 

1807 

a 

1811. 

Francis Malbone, 

u 

1809 

u 

1809. 

C. G. Champlin, 

n 

1809 

u 

1811. 

Jeremiah B. Howell, 

u 

1811 

ti 

1817. 

William Hunter, 


1811 

t. 

1831. 

James Burrill, 

u 

1817 

ii 

1821. 

James D’Wolf, 


1821 

li 

1825. 

Nehemiah R. Knight, 

“ 

1821 

- 

1841. 

Asher Robbins, 


1825 


1839. 

Nathan F. Dixon, 

u 

1839 


1842. 


VERMONT. 


387 


James F. Simmons, 

from 

( 1841 

to 

1847. 

( 1857 

(( 

1862. 

William Sprague, 

a 

1842 

(( 

1844. 

John B. Francis, 

a 

1844 

u 

1845. 

Albert C. Green, 

u 

1845 

u 

1851. 

John II. Clarke, 

a 

1847 

u 

1853. 

Charles T. James, 

a 

1851 

u 

1857. 

Philip Allen, 

u 

1853 

u 

1859. 

Samuel G. Arnold, 

u 

1862 

u 

1863. 

Henry B. Anthony, 

u 

( 1859 
( 1865 

u 

u 

1865. 

1877. 

William Sprague, 

(( 

1862 

u 

1875. 



VERMONT. 

This State received its name from the French name of its 
range of mountains, verd mont ” meaning “ Green Moun¬ 
tain.’’) It was settled in 1731, and was at first considered 
part of New Hampshire, and afterwards claimed by New 
York. These claims were vigorously resisted, but it had 
no organized government until 1777. It did good service in 
the Revolution; but was not admitted into the Union until 
1791, making the fourteenth State. Col. Ethan Allen at the 
head of 270 ‘‘Green Mountain Boys” took possession of Forts 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point in the name of the Continental 
Congress, in 1775, and thus assured the northern water com¬ 
munication with Canada to the Americans. 

The climate of Vermont though cold, is pleasant and even, 
the soil fertile in the valleys, and the streams supply excellent 
water power, which, however, is little used. Maple sugar is 


388 


VERMONT. 


produced in abundance, while its facilities for raising stock 
are equal to those of New Hampshire. Granite, marble of 
tine quality, and slate quarries abound. Its provision for edu¬ 
cation is very liberal. 

It has two representatives in Congress; forms part of the 
second judicial circuit, and constitutes one judicial district. 
One port of entry and two of delivery are authorized to be 
named by the President of the United States. 

Montpelier is the capital. The State election is held on the 
lirst Tuesday in September, and the Legislature meets on the 
second Tuesday in October. 

The enacting clause begins: ‘‘It is hereby enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of Vermont.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Moses Kobinson, 

from 

1791 

to 

1796. 

Stephen R. Bradley, 

u 

j 1791 

1 1801 

a 

a 

1795. 

1813. 

Elijah Paine, 

a 

1795 

a 

1801. 

Isaac Tichenor, 

u 

i 1796 

a 

1797. 


( 1815 

ii 

1821. 

Nathaniel Chipman, 

a 

1797 

ii 

1803. 

Israel Smith, 

(( 

( 1801 

a 

1802. 


I 1803 

a 

1807. 

Jonathan Robinson, 

u 

1807 

a 

1815. 

Dudley Chase, 

u 

i 1813 

s 

a 

1817. 


( 1825 

a 

1831. 

James Fisk, 

u 

1817 

a 

1817. 

William A. Palmer, 

u 

1818 

a 

1825. 

Horatio Seymour, 

u 

1821 

ii 

1833. 

Samuel Prentiss, 

u 

1831 

ii 

1842. 

Benjamin Swift, 

(( 

1833 

ii 

1839. 

Samuel S. Phelps, 

ii 

1839 

a 

1851. 

Samuel C. Crafts, 

u 

1842 

a 

1843. 

William Upham, 

u 

1843 

ii 

1855. 

Solomon Foote, 

ii 

1851 

a 

1866. 

Samuel S. Phelps, 

ii 

1853 

a 

1854. 






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VIEW IN THE BLUE GRASS REGION, KENTUCKY. 

































































































































































































































































































KENTUCKY 


389 


Brainard Lawrence, 
Jacob Collainer, 
Luke R Poland, 
George F. Edmunds. 
Justin S. Morrill, 


from 1854 to 1855. 

‘‘ 1854 1865. 

“ 1865 “ 1867. 

“ 1866 “ 1875. 

“ 1867 “ 1879. 



KENTUCKY. 


Kentucky was formed from the territory of Virginia, and 
in point of seniority is the fifteenth State of the American 
LFnion, having been admitted on the first of June, 1792. 

The sobriquet of ‘‘dark and bloody ground” applied to 
Kentucky is very suggestive of the sanguinary conflicts of her 
pioneer population with the aboriginal lords of the soil. The 
celebrated Daniel Boone was among the first white men to 
explore the wilderness of Kentucky. The first white settle¬ 
ment was commenced at Boonesborough, about the year 1769. 
The area of the State is 37,680 square miles, equal to 24,115,- 
200 acres. 

The climate is mild, and adapted to the production of cereals, 
grapes, and fruits. The soil is very fertile. The surface pre¬ 
sents a varied aspect in its several portions. The southeastern 
part of the State is mountainous, the central and northern por¬ 
tions are undulating, sometimes hilly. The river bottoms are 
very productive. Tlie State is well timbered. Apple, pear, 
peach, plum and various other fruit trees are cultivated with 
great success. The staple products are corn, tobacco and 
hemp. Horses, mules and cattle are raised. Kentucky abounds 
in bituminous coal, lead, iron pyrites, marble, freestone, gyp¬ 
sum, and clifi* limestone. 


390 


KENTUCKY. 


The population in 1870 was 1,321,000. She is entitled to 
ten representatives in Congress, is in the sixth judicial circuit 
and forms one judicial district, has one port of entry, Louis¬ 
ville, and two ports of delivery, viz.: Paducah and Columbus. 
Frankfort is the capital. 

The State elections are held on the first Monday in August. 
The Legislature meets on the first Monday in December, and 
is composed of two houses — the Senate consisting of 38 mem¬ 
bers elected for four years; and a House of Eepresentatives 
elected for two years. The enacting clause of the laws is: 
“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Common¬ 
wealth of Kentucky.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


John Brown, 

from 

1792 

to 

1805. 

John Edwards, 

(( 

1792 

u 

1795. 

Humphrey Marshall, 

ii 

1795 

u 

1801. 

John Breckenridge, 

i( 

1801 

a 

1805. 

Buckner Thurston, 

a 

1805 

(( 

1810. 

John Adair, 

u 

1805 

u 

1806. 



rl806 

(( 

1807. 

Henry Clay, 

(( 

1 1810 

1 1831 

(( 

i( 

1811. 

' 1842. 



U849 

u 

1855. 

John Pope, 

a 

1807 

(( 

1813. 

George M. Bibb, 

(( 

j 1811 

(( 

1814. 


( 1829 

(( 

1835. 

Jessie Bledsoe, 

(( 

1813 

n 

1815. 

George Walker, 

a 

1814 

(( 

1814. 

William T. Barry, 

u 

1814 

u 

1816. 

Isham Talbot, 

i( 

j 1815 

a 

1819. 


( 1820 

a 

1825. 

Martin D. Hardin, 

u 

1816 

u 

1817. 



rl8l7 

u 

1819. 

John J. Crittenden, 

(( 

j 1835 

(( 

1841. 


1 1842 

u 

1849. 



U855 

u 

1861. 




THE WHIRLPOOL, ROCKCASTLE RIVER. 











































































































































































































































































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TENNESSEE. 


391 


Kichard M. Johnson, 

from 

i 1819 
( 1823 

to 

a 

1823. 

1829. 

William Logan, 

a 

1819 

u 

1820. 

John Bowan, 

u 

1826 

a 

1831. 

James T. Moorehead, 

u 

1841 

u 

1847. 

Jos’h B. Underwood, 

u 

1847 

a 

1853. 

Thomas Metcalf, 

u 

1848 

u 

1849. 

Archibald Dixon, 

u 

1852 

a 

1855. 

David Meriwether, 

u 

1852 

a 

1852. 

J. B. Thompson, 

u 

1853 

u 

1859. 

Lazarus W. Powell, 

a 

1859 

ii 

1865. 

J. C. Breckenridge, 

a 

1861 

a 

1861. 

Garrett Davis, 

a 

1861 

u 

1873. 

James Guthrie, 

u 

1865 

u 

1868. 

Thomas C. McCreery, 

u 

■1868 

u 

1879. 

John W. Stevenson, 

u 

1871 

(( 

1877. 



TENNESSEE. 


Tennessee belonged to the territory of North Carolina while 
a colony, and was settled by emigrants from it in 1757. They 
built Fort Loudon in East Tennessee, but were destroyed, or 
driven away, by the Indians, in 1760. Settlement was soon 
resumed, but continually harrassed by Indian attacks. In 1774 
Col. Lewis and Capt. Shelby attacked and defeated them. They 
remained quiet until after the Declaration of Independence, 
when the Cherokees were stirred up by British emissaries. 
From 1776 to 1779 three several expeditions were made against 
them, the Indians being decisively defeated each time. The 
Cherokees and Shawnees were warlike tribes, and continued, 


392 


TENNESSEE. 


for some years, to make occasional attacks on the settlements, 
which did not, however, prevent their steady growth. 

In 1789 North Carolina renounced her claim to the terri¬ 
tory, and in 1790 it became a separate province, being admitted 
into the Union as a Sovereign State in 1796, making the six¬ 
teenth, or the third admitted after the Revolutionary war — 
Vermont, in 1791, being the first; and Kentucky, in 1792, the 
second. 

Tliis State has an area of 45,600 square miles, or 29,184,000 
acres. It had a population in 1870 of 1,257,983. 

Tennessee is very agreeably diversified with mountain, hill 
and dale, containing within its limits fertility of soil, beauty 
of scenery, and a delightfully temperate climate. The State is 
generally healthy. The soil in the main is good, and while 
among the mountains it is not arable, it is favorable for grazing, 
and stock is largely exported. 

Indian corn, tobacco, and cotton are the great staples. 

Gold has been found in the south-east portion of the State. 
Among the other minerals found here are iron in abundance, 
some lead, silver, zinc, marble of very fine quality, and various 
others. The State is entitled to nine Representatives in Con¬ 
gress ; is in the sixth judicial circuit; has three judicial dis¬ 
tricts ; and has two ports of delivery — Memphis and Knox¬ 
ville. 

Nashville is the capital. The State election is held on tlie 
first Monday in August, and the Legislature meets on the first 
Monday in October, once in two years. The Legislature con¬ 
sists of a Senate of twenty-five members, and a House of Rep¬ 
resentatives of seventy-five members. 

The enacting clause of the laws of this State is : “ Be it 
enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

William Blount, from 179( 


1796 to 1797. 
“ 1797. 

« 1805. 

‘‘ 1798. 

“ 1825. 


Andrew Jackson, 


William Cocke, 




GREAT MIAMI RIVER. 












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OHIO. 


393 


Joseph Anderson, 
Daniel Smith, 

Jenkin Whiteside, 
George W. Campbell, 
Jesse Wharton, 

John Williams, 

John H. Eaton, 

Hugh L. White, 

Felix Grundy, 

Ephraim II. Foster, 

A. O. P. Nicholson, 
Alexander Anderson, 
Spencer Jarnagin, 
Hopkins L. Turney, 
John Bell, 

James C. Jones, 
Andrew Johnson, 
David T. Patterson, 

J. S. Fowler, 

William G. Brownlow, 
Henry Cooper, 


mm 1797 to 1815. 
1797 “ 1809. 
1809 ‘‘ 1811. 
1811 1818. 

1814 “ 1815. 

1815 “ 1823. 

1818 “ 1829. 

1825 1840. 

1829 ‘‘ 1840. 

1838 1839. 

1843 “ 1845. 

1840 ‘‘ 1843. 

1840 “ 1841. 

1841 1847. 

1845 ‘‘ 1851. 

1847 “ 1853. 

1851 “ 1857. 

1857 ‘‘ 1863. 

1865 “ 1869. 

1865 “ 1871. 

1869 1875. 

1871 “ 1877. 



OHIO. 

The first permanent settlement in this important State was 
made on the 7th day of April, 1788. Though this fine territory 
lay nearest to the most populous and enterprising of the origi¬ 
nal States, the intrigues of the French before the Bevolution; 
the hostility to which they excited tlie Indians, and the diffi¬ 
culties arising from the various claims oi different States to 


394 


OHIO. 


the lands, which rendered titles insecure, prevented any per¬ 
manent settlement until about the time when the present 
Constitution of the United States was originated. All these 
difficulties were now removed, and emigration, long restrained, 
rushed like a flood down the Ohio. 20,000 persons, during 
this year (1788), passed down the river in pursuit of new 
homes. Cincinnati and many other places were settled about 
this time. From 1790 to 1795 there was much suffering from 
the hostility of the Indians ; but this period having passed, 
the settlements multiplied and grew apace. 

The settlers were, in large part, from New England ; accus¬ 
tomed to wring a thrifty living from a rocky soil; and their 
industry soon brought great results from this more generous 
field. The population increased rapidly. In 14 years it 
amounted to 72,000 ; and was admitted into the Union with 
that number Nov. 29th, 1802. 

The climate is healthy and mild, the soil generally very 
fertile, and her inhabitants have made the most of it. Coal, 
iron, and marble are very abundant. Manufactures have not 
been much developed in this State, but they are steadily grow¬ 
ing. The lake on the north, and the river on the south, with 
more than 6,000 miles of railway and canals, furnish all the 
elements of a great and steady growth. 

It was, on its admission, the seventeenth State in the Union. 

It has an area of 39,964 square miles, equal to 25,576,960 
acres. The population in 1870 was 2,622,214, entitling her to 
twenty Members of Congress. 

It is in the sixth judicial circuit, and forms two judicial 
districts, the Northern and Southern. 

This State has three ports of entry—Cleveland, Toledo, and 
Portland; and four ports of delivery, to be located where the 
President directs. 

The capital of this State is Columbus. The State election 
is now held on the second Tuesday of October. The Legisla¬ 
ture meets on the first Monday of January, biennially. 

The enacting clause of th^ laws is as follows: ‘Ole it enacted 
by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio.” 


LOUISIANA. 


395 


UNITED STATES SENATOES. 


John Smith, 

from 

1803 

to 

1808. 

Thos. Worthington, 

a 

( 1803 

a 

1807. 


1 1810 

a 

1814. 

Edward Tiffin, 

a 

1807 

a 

1809. 

Eeturn J. Meigs, 

a 

1808 

a 

1810. 

Stanley Grisw^old, 

u 

1809 

u 

1809. 

Alexander Campbell, 

a 

1809 

a 

1813. 

Jeremiah Morrow, 

a 

1813 

a 

1819. 

Joseph Kerr, 

a 

1814 

u 

1815. 

Benjamin Buggies, 

u 

1815 

u 

1833. 

William A. Trimble, 

u 

1819 

a 

1821. 

Ethan A. Brown, 

u 

1822 

u 

1825. 

Wm. Henry Harrison, 

a 

1825 

u 

1828. 

Jacob Burnett, 

a 

1828 

u 

1831. 

Thomas Ewing, 

u 

( 1831 
( 1850 

ii 

a 

1837. 

1851. 

Thomas Morris, 

(1. 

1833 

u 

1839. 

William Allen, 

u 

1837 

a 

1849. 

Benjamin Tappan, 

u 

1839 

a 

1845. 

Thomas Corwin, 

u 

1845 

a 

1851. 

Salmon P. Chase, 

C( 

1849 

u 

1855. 

Benjamin F. Wade, 

u 

1851 

a 

1869. 

George Ellis Pugh, 

ii 

1851 

a 

1861. 

John Sherman, 

a 

1861 

u 

1879. 

Allen G. Thurman, 

(( 

1869 

a 

1875. 



LOUISIANA. 

The Spaniards, who found so nnicli gold in otlier parts of the 
American continent, made repeated explorations of the region 


396 


LOUISIANA. 


lying near the mouths of tlie Mississippi in the hope of dis¬ 
covering it there. Failing in this, they made no settlements. 
The French planned the establishment of a vast empire cover¬ 
ing the best territory now in the bounds of the United States, 
and explored the Mississippi and its tributaries with untiring 
courage and zeal, both from the Great Lakes and from the 
mouth of the river. A few years after La Salle had perished 
in his bold wandering, a French naval officer, Lemoine D’Iber¬ 
ville, formed the first settlement in Louisiana (so named after 
the French King, Louis XIV., by La Salle.) This was in 1699; 
but no great progress was made until the Mississippi Company 
was formed in France, under the idea that Louisiana was rich 
in gold and diamonds; when, in 1718, eight hundred persons 
emigrated from France and settled at New Orleans. In 1732 
the colony contained, in all, seven thousand five hundred per¬ 
sons, and continued to prosper until 1763, when, by the peace 
of Paris, all the French possessions in America except the ter¬ 
ritory west of the Great Piver, were given up to England. 
This remnant soon passed to the Spaniards, and again to the 
French, from whom it was bought by President Jefferson for 
$15,000,000, in 1803. 

This purchase was regarded, even by Jefferson, as probably 
exceeding the powers of the government, under the Constitu¬ 
tion; but it was essential to the development, unity, and 
greatness of the country. The Mississippi Yalley is the heart 
of North America, and the use of the river as necessary to the 
value of the prairie States lying east of it, as to the defense 
and strength of the country. The possession of it could, alone, 
make the United States a great power among nations. Napo¬ 
leon Bonaparte, then First Consul of the French Kepublic, 
designed, in ceding it to the United States, to give England, 
his relentless enemy, a powerful rival; but even his keen fore¬ 
sight could not have anticipated the wonderful growth in which 
the Louisiana Purchase was so necessary an element. 

The surface of Louisiana is low, and the southern part often 
overflowed by the high water of the rivers. Many islands 


LOUISIANA. 


397 


of great fertility and beauty lie along the coast; one of 
them consisting of an immense bed or mine of rock salt. 
Fruits grow to great perfection and orange trees are specially 
fruitful, a single tree often bearing 5,000 oranges. Cotton and 
cane sugar are the principal staples. New Orleans has an 
extensive commerce, and manufactures will sometime find in it 
a profitable field. The palmy days of this, as of all the other 
Southern States, is in the future; her most valuable resources 
having been scarcely touched. New Orleans will naturally 
become the third great commercial city of the Union, New 
Y ork and San Francisco, only, being likely to take precedence 


of her. 


Louisiana was admitted into the Union April 8th, 1812, 
making the eighteenth State. 

She has an area of 46,431 scpiare miles, equal to 29,715,840 
acres. The population in 1870 numbered 732,731; she has 
five Kepresentatives in Congress. 

Louisiana forms a part of the fifth judicial circuit, and con¬ 
stitutes two judicial districts, viz.: the eastern and western 
districts of Louisiana. This State has one collection district, 
denominated the district of New Orleans; which city is the 
only port of entry. The shores of the river Ohio, and all the 
rivers emptying into the Mississippi, are attached to the dis¬ 
trict of New Orleans, though most of them do not lie in the 
State. Several of the cities and towns on these rivers are made 
ports of delivery. Collection districts are not always confined 
to one State. 

Baton Rouge is the capital. The Legislature meets on the 
first Monday in January, once in two years. The State election 
is held on the first Monday in November. 

The enacting clause of her laws is as follows: “Be it enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 
Louisiana, in General Assembly convened.” 

UNITED STATES SENATOES. 

Thomas Posey, October to December, 1812. 


James Brown, 


from 



1817. 

1824. 


398 


INDIANA. 


Allan B. Macgruder, 

from 

1812 

to 

1813. 

Eligius Fromentin, 

u 

1813 

u 

1819. 

W. C. C. Claiborne, 

ii 

1817 

n 

1818. 

Henry Johnson, 


i 1818 
( 1843 

it 

u 

1824. 

1849. 

William Kelly, 

u 

1822 

a 

1825. 

Dominique Bouligny, 

u 

1824 

a 

1829. 

Josiah S. Johnston, 

a 

1824 

u 

1833. 

Edward Livingston, 

a 

1829 

a 

1831. 

Geo. A. Waggaman, 

a 

1831 

u 

1835. 

Alexander Porter, 

a 

1833 

a 

1837. 

Kobert 0. Nichols, 

a 

1833 

a 

1841. 

Alexander Morton, 

a 

1838 

a 

1842. 

Alexander Barrow, 

a 

1841 

u 

1847. 

Charles M. Conrad, 

a 

1842 

a 

1843. 

Pierre Soule, 

u 

( 1847 

u 

1847. 



( 1849 

(( 

1855 

Solomon W. Downs, 

u 

1847 

u 

1853. 

John Slidell, 

n 

1853 

u 

1861. 

Judah P. Benjamin, 

u 

1853 

a 

1861. 

John S. Harris, 

u 

1868 

a 

1871. 

Wm. Pitt Kellogg, 


1868 

u 

1873. 

J. K. West, 

u 

1871 

a 

1877. 



INDIANA. 


1. Indiana was first explored by the enterprising Frencli 
Jesuits, who highly appreciated the beauty, resources, and 
grand future of the vast Mississippi valley. Wiser than their 
sovereign, Louis XIY., they would have taken firm and effectual 
possession of all this region, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, 



INDIANA. 


399 


blit Louis was too much occupied with his palaces, the splen¬ 
dor of his court, the banishment of Protestants, and war with 
his neighbors to lend a due support to their plans. Thev 
explored the region in 1682, formed a settlement at Vincennes 
in 1730, and made friends of the Indians. The career of the 
French, in Europe and America, was checked by the extrava,- 
gance of the Court, and disastrous wars; and this little colony 
remained for nearly three generations solitary and stationary 
in the wilderness; fraternizing with the Indians and enjoying 
life as only the French can under such dreary circumstances. 

2. After the Pevolution all this region was included in the 
Northwest Territory. The grim earnestness of the Americanfe 
in pushing their fortunes alarmed, without conciliating, the 
Indians, and for a long time a deadly struggle alone could pre¬ 
serve the growing settlements from total extinction. Th^ 
brave and talented Tecumseh and his twin brother, the Prophet, 
made a desperate effort to drive back or exterminate the set¬ 
tlers; but they were conquered, and the Indians retreated, step 
by step, before the advancing flood of emigration. In 1809 
Indiana was erected into a separate Territory, and admitted into 
the Union as a separate kState on the Ilth of Dec., 1816. It is 
275 miles long by 135 in width. The surface is mainly level 
or gently undulating; the irregularities in the southern part, 
seldom rising more than two hundred feet, but with a rocky 
foundation to the soil, presenting many advantages to manu¬ 
factures along the streams; these facilities are increased by the 
extent and value of bituminous coal deposits which underlie 
nearly one-fourth of the area of the State. 

3. Indiana has a happier mixture of prairie and woodland 
than any other western State. Its commercial facilities are 
great. Peaching Lake Michigan on the northwest, Chicago 
forms a fine metropolis for the northern parts; while the Ohio 
on the south furnishes cheap transportation to Cincinnati and 
Pittsburg toward the east, or New Orleans to the southwest. 
Lying between the fertile and busy regions west and the great 
eastern markets, it is crossed in all directions by railroads. It 


400 


INDIANA. 


is in the centre of the most highly favored part of the Union, 
and its advantages and resources seem boundless. Its staple 
in agriculture is corn, but all the grains, vegetables, and fruits 
of the temperate zone are raised with success. The climate is 
mild, but it lies in the region of variableness in weather char¬ 
acterizing all the western States in its latitude. 

The resources of the State have been in a course of rapid 
and uninterrupted development for 60 years, but they are so 
great, and there are so many other inviting fields luring emi¬ 
grants further west, that a comparatively small part of its 
wealth has yet been reached. There is a magnificent provision 
for education, and its intelligent and enterprising citizens are 
worthy of the Great Republic. 

4. Indiana was the nineteenth State in the Union. She has 
an area of 33,809 square miles, equal to 21,637,760 acres. Her 
population in 1870 was 1,673,046, which entitles her to twelve 
Representatives in Congress. Indiana is the seventh judicial 
circuit, and forms one judicial district. There is no port of 
entry in this State; but there are three ports of delivery, 
to-wit: Evansville, Hew Albany, and Madison* which are 
attached to the Hew Orleans collection district. 

The capital is Indianapolis. The State election is h^eld on 
the second Tuesday of October. The Legislature meets only 
once in two years, on the first Wednesday of January. 

The enacting clause of her laws is in these words: ‘‘Be it 
enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


James Hoble, 

from 

1816 

to 

1831. 

W. Taylor, 

(( 

1816 

a 

1825. 

W. Hendricks, 

u 

1825 

a 

1837. 

H. Hanna, 

ii 

1831 

u 

1831. 

John Tipton, 

u 

1831 

u 

1839. 

0. H. Smith, 

a 

1837 

a 

1843. 

A. S. White, 

u 

1839 

u 

1845. 

E. A. Hannegan, 

a 

1843 

a 

1849. 

J. D. Bright, 

u 

1845 

u 

1862. 


MISSISSIPPI. 


401 


J. "Whitcomb, 

from 

1849 

to 

1855. 

C. W. Cathcart, 


1852 

hi 

1853. 

John Pettit, 

u 

1853 

a 

1855. 

G. N. Fitch, 


1857 

a 

1861. 

H. A. Lane, 

u 

1861 

ii 

1867. 

D. Turpee, 

(( 

1863 

a 

1863. 

J. A. Wright, 

i(, 

1862 

a 

1863. 

T. A. Hendricks, 

a 


u 

1869. 

0. P. Morton, 

a 

1867 

u 

1879. 

Daniel D. Pratt, 

a 

1869 

u 

1875. 



MISSISSIPPI. 


This State was explored by De Soto, a companion of Pizarro, 
in his cruel conquest of Peru, in 1541, and later by the enter¬ 
prising French governor of Canada, La Salle, in 1684. Tlie 
first settlement was made by the French, at Natchez, in 1716. 
It was one of a chain of settlements by which they proposed to 
connect the basins of the St. Lawrence and the great lakes with 
the Mississippi valley and the Gulf of Mexico. 

The Natchez Indians gave the early colonists great trouble, 
but were finally so completely conquered that the national 
name became extinct, the few remnants surviving, becoming 
incorporated with otlier tribes. They were supposed to have 
anciently emigrated from Mexico or South America, some of 
their customs being similar to those of the Peruvians. 

In 1763 the French ceded all this territory to England, 
except that of Louisiana, which became the possession of Spain. 

The Choctaw Indians held possession of the northern part of 
the State for a long time, and became considerably civilized. 

The northerri part of the State is prairie, the soil being 
26 




402 


MISSISSIPPI. 


extremely rich, while the south is sandy. The surface is gen¬ 
erally level or undulating. Commerce and agriculture form its 
principal resources; though neither have been highly devel¬ 
oped. Cotton is the principal staple. It is remarkably well 
adapted to the growth of fruit, though it has been very little 
cultivated. The State is well supplied with railroads, which, 
with the Mississippi flowing the whole length of her western 
boundary, furnish ample transportation for all the produce of 
her fertile soil. 

The Territory of Mississippi became a State in 1817; mak¬ 
ing the twentieth State. The area is 47,156 square miles, 
equal to 30,179,840 acres. The population in 1870 numbered 
834,170; which entitles her to six Representatives in Congress. 
The State lies in the flfth judicial circuit, and is divided into 
two judicial districts, viz.: the Northern and Southern districts 
of Mississippi. She has three ports of entry, viz.: Natchez, 
Vicksburg, and one near the mouth of Pearl river, to be estab¬ 
lished whenever the President may direct; also three ports of 
delivery, viz.: Grand Gulf, Ship Island and Columbus. 

Jackson is the capital. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and her Legisla¬ 
ture meets biennially on the Tuesday after the first Monday in 
January. 

The enacting clause of the laws is in these words: “ Be it 

enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
State of Mississippi in General Assembly convened.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Walter Leake, 

from 

1817 

to 

1820. 

Thomas H. Williams, 

a 

i 1817 

u 

1829. 


( 1838 

a 

1839. 

David Holmes, 

a 

1820 

u 

1825. 

Powhattan Ellis, 

u 

1825 

u 

1833. 

Thomas B. Reed, 

u 

1826 

u 

1829. 

Robert Adams, 

u 

1830 

a 

1830. 

George Poindexter, 

u 

1830 

u 

1835. 

John Black, 

a 

1832 

'a 

1838. 













































































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ILLINOIS. 


403 


E. J. Walker, 

from 

1835 

to 

1845. 

James F. Trotter, 

a 

1838 

a 

T838. 

John Henderson, 

a 

1839 

u 

1845. 

Jesse Speight, 

u 

1845 

u 

1847. 

Joseph W. Chambers, 

u 

1845 

u 

1847. 

Jefferson Davis, 


( 1847 

ii 

1851. 



( 1857 

u 

1861. 

Henry S. Foote, 


1847 

u 

1853. 

John W. Rea, 

u 

1851 

a 

1851. 

Walter Brooks, 

a 

1852 


1852. 

Albert G. Brown, 

u 

1854 


1861. 

Stephen Adams, 

i6 

1852 

a 

1857. 

Henry R. Revels, 

U 

1869 

a 

1871. 

(lames L. Alcorn, 

a 

1871 

u 

1877. 

Adelbert Ames, 



a 

1875. 



ILLINOIS. 

Illinois was first visited by Europeans in the persons of 
French Jesuit missionaries in the year 1672, who explored 
eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in that year. The 
oldest permanent settlement in the valley of the Mississippi 
was made at Kaskaskia, in this State, in the year 1720, by the 
French. The name of the State is derived from the aboriginal 
inhabitants. In the Indian dialect it was Illini,’.’ and signi¬ 
fied a perfectly formed man. The French settlers changed the 
name to Illinois. This State was formed from what was known 
as the Northwestern territory, and was the twenty-first of the 
American Union. It was admitted and became an independ¬ 
ent State on the 3d day of December, 1818. It has an area of 



404 


ILLINOIS. 


55,405 square miles, equal to 35,450,200 acres. Its popula¬ 
tion in 1870 was 2,530,638. Extending through more than 
five degrees of latitude, Illinois has quite a variety of climate. 
The surface is level. The soil is fertile and the agricultural 
capabilities of this State are not surpassed by any sister State, 
if indeed by any portion of earth’s surface, of equal extent. 
Her staple products are corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, hay, and 
products of the dairy, besides large quantities of fruit. The 
State is rich in minerals. A large portion of the lead pro¬ 
ducing region of the country is in this State. Bituminous 
coal IS found in almost every county in the State. Copper is 
found in large quantities in the north, and iron in both south 
and north. Lime, zinc, marble of excellent quality, freestone, 
gypsum, and other minerals, are found in various parts. 

The State is entitled to nineteen representatives in Congress, 
and forms a part of the seventh judicial circuit. It forms two 
judicial districts, viz.: northern and southern. It has one port 
of entry, Chicago, and four ports of delivery, viz.: Alton, 
Quincy, Cairo, and Peoria. The capital is Springfield. The 
State election is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in 
November. The legislature meets biennially on the first Mon¬ 
day in January. The enacting clause of the laws is as follows: 
“ Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented 
in the General Assembly.” 


UNITED 

STATES 

SENATORS. 


J. S. Thomas, 

from 

1818 

to 1829. 

N. Edwards, 

a 

1818 

“ 1824. 

John McLean, 

a 

^ 1824 

1825. 



( 1829 

“ 1830. 

D. J. Baker, 

a 

1830 

1 month. 

E. K. Kane, 

u 

1825 

to 1836. 

J. M. Robinson, 

u 

1830 

“ 1841. 

W. L. D. Ewing, 

u 

1835 

“ 1837. 

R. M. Young, 

u 

1837 

‘‘ 1843. 

S. McRoberts, 

u 

1841 

1843. 

J. Semple, 

(( 

1843 

“ 1847. 


ALABAMA. 


405 


Sidney Breese, 

S. A. Douglas, 
James Shields, 

L. Trumbull, 

O. H. Browning, 

W. A. Kichardson, 
Richard Yates, 
John A. Logan, 
Richard J. Oglesby, 


from 1843 to 1849. 

“ 1847 “ 1861. 

“ 1849 “ 1855. 

1855 “ 1873. 
1861 “ 1863. 
“ 1863 “ 1865. 

“ 1865 “ 1871. 

“ 1871 “ 1877. 

“ 1873 '' 1879. 



ALABAMA. 

This State was, at first, held by Georgia under her colonial 
charter, but was given up to the general government, in 1802, 
for the sum of $1,250,000. It then became a part of the 
Mississippi territory, but was separated when Mississippi 
became a State, in 1817. 

It was settled in 1711, at Mobile, by the French, it being a 
part of the territory explored and claimed for France by 
La Salle in 1684. The Indian name of Alabama means ‘‘ Here 
we rest.” Its soil can scarcely be excelled for fertility in the 
world. It has every variety of climate, from the high and 
stern severity of a mountain region in the north, through all 
gradations, to the heat and luxuriant vegetation of the tropics 
along the southern coast. The center abounds in coal and 
iron, and various other minerals are found in abundance. 
Until the Revolution it was a hunting ground for the Indians. 
Being then stirred up by British emissaries, and threatening 
the security of tlie frontiers, they were severely chastised. 
After the return of peace, when the growing wealth and popu- 



406 


ALABAMA. 


lation of the original States excited them to enterprise, the 
territory invited population by its surpassing fertility, and it 
graduated to the importance of a sovereign State by admission 
into the Union, Dec. 14th, 1819, forming the twenty-second 
State. 

It has an area of 50,722 square miles, equal to 32,462,080 
acres, and had a population in 1870 of 966,988, by which she 
is entitled to seven Kcpiesentatives. 

It forms a part of the fifth judicial circuit, and is divided into 
three judicial districts, the Northern, Middle and Southern. 

It has one port of entry, (Mobile,) and two ports of delivery, 
viz.: Tuscumbia and Selma. 

The capital of the State is Montgomery. 

The State election is held on the Tuesday after the first Mon¬ 
day in November. The Legislature meets on the tliird Monday 
in November. 

The enacting clause of its laws is as follows: Be it enacted 
by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 
Alabama, in General Assembly convened.’’ 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


William R. King, 

from 

( 1819 

to 

1844. 

1 

1 1846 

i(. 

1852. 

John W. Walker, 

- 

1819 

u 

1822. 

Henry Chambers, 

a 

1825 


1826. 

Israel Pickens, 
same year by— 

a 

1826. 


Superseded 

John McKinley, 

“ 1 

1 1826 
[ 1837 

u 

u 

1831. 

1841. 

Gabriel Moore, 

a 

1831 

u 

1837. 

Clement C. Clay, 

a 

1837 

a 

1841. 

Arthur P. Bagby, 

a 

1841 

u 

1849 

Dixon H. Lewis, 

u 

1844 

u 

1847. 

Benjamin Fitzpatrick. 

u 

1852 

(( 

1861. 

Jeremiah Clemens, 

u 

1849 

u 

1853. 

Clement C. Clay, Jr., 

a 

1853 

u 

1861. 

Willard Warner, 


1868 

u 

1871. 

George Goldthwaite, 

a 

1871 

u 

1877. 

George E. Spencer, 


1868 

u 

1879. 


MAINE. 


407 



This State forms, the northeastern boundary of the Republic; 
Canada and New Brunswick lying north and east. It was at 
first a province, granted by charter to Sir Ferdinand Gorges, 
by the King of England, in 1638 ; but was united with Mas¬ 
sachusetts by purchase in 1652. It was settled by the English, 
at Bristol, in 1625. It was admitted as a State into the Union 
March 15th, 1820, being the twenty-third in order of admis¬ 
sion. It contains 31,766 square miles, or 20,330,240 acres in 
area. In 1870 the population was 626,463. 

It has now five Eepresentatives in Congress. 

The northern part of this State is almost a wdlderness, and 
furnishes large quantities of lumber, which are floated doAvn 
her large rivers, and supplied, in great abundance, to the 
Atlantic seaports, and the West Indies. Ship-building is an 
extensive branch of industry, the great length and irregular 
line of coast forming numerous harbors. It has extensive 
fisheries, and a large sea-faring population. Its numerous 
streams are highly favorable to manufactures, though compara¬ 
tively little has as yet been done in this direction. The climate 
is severe and the soil somewhat sterile, so that it ranks low" as 
an agricultural State. It has received comparatively few 
additions to its population by foreign immigration ; and its 
inhabitants are mainly from the old English stock, and the 
State ranks high in morality. It depletes itself by furnishing, 
lik^ many other of the older States, annually, a large number 
of vigorous, enterprising young •men to settle the new" and 
fertile regions of the west. 

It forms part of the first judicial circuit, and constitutes 



408 


MAINE. 


one judicial district. It has thirteen ports of entry, and thirty- 
two ports of delivery. 

The capital is Augusta, on the Kennebec river. 

The State elections are held on the second Monday of Sep¬ 
tember ; and the Legislature meets on the first Wednesday of 
January in each year. 

Tlie enacting clause of its laws is : Be it enacted by the 
Senate and House of Kepresentatives, in Legislature assem¬ 
bled.’^ 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


John Holmes, 

from 

1820 

to 

1833. 

John Chandler, 

a 

1820 

u 

1829. 

Albion P. Harris, 

4 ; 

1827 

u 

1829. 

Peleg Sprague, 

a 

1829 

a 

1835. 

Etlier Shepley, 

a 

1833 

a 

1836. 

John Buggies, 

u 

1835 

u 

1841. 

Judah Dana, 

a 

1836 

u 

1837. 

Reuel Williams, 

u 

1837 

u 

1843. 

George Evans, 


1841 

u 

1847. 

John Fairfield, 


1843 

u 

1847. 

Wynan B. S. Moore, 

u 

1848 

u 

1848. 

James W. Bradbury, 

u 

1847 

u 

1853. 


1 

f 1848 

n 

1857. 

Hannibal Hamlin, 


1857 

a 

1861. 


1 

( 1869 

u 

1875. 

Amos Hourse, 

u 

1857 

u 

1857. 

William P. Fessenden 

> “ 1 

1853 

u 

1864. 


1 

, 1865 

u 

1869. 

Lot M. Morrill, 

(( 

1861 

u 

1877. 

Nathan A. Farwell, 

a 

1864 

a 

1865. 



/ 




MISSOURI. 


409 



MISSOURI. 


This State was first settled by the French, at or near the pres¬ 
ent capital, in the year 1719. Here a fort was established, 
called Fort Orleans, and the neighboring lead mines were 
worked the next year. St. Genevieve, the oldest town in the 
State, was settled m 1755, and St. Louis in 1764. In 1763 it, 
with all the territory west of the Mississippi, was assigned by 
treaty to Spain. This territory was ceded back to France in 
1801, and with Louisiana was purchased by the United States 
in 1803. It remained a part of Louisiana until the admission 
of the State of that name, when the remaining portion of tliat 
purchase was called Missouri. In 1821 it was admitted into 
the Union, forming the twenty-fourth State. This State has 
an area of 67,380 square miles, equal to 43,123,200 acres. 

Her population in 1870 was 1,715,000, entitling her to thir¬ 
teen Representatives in Congress. 

The climate of Missouri is variable; in winter the thermom¬ 
eter sinks below zero ; the summers are excessively hot; the 
air is dry and pure. The State is quite as healthful as any in 
the west. The soil is good and of great agricultural capabili¬ 
ties. The great staple is Indian corn. The other products 
cultivated largely are hemp, wheat, oats, tobacco. Sheep and 
cattle are considerably raised, and fruit culture is successful. 

This State is in the eight judicial circuit; and forms two 
judicial districts, the Eastern and Western. It has no port of 
entry, and but one port of delivery, Hannibal. 

The capital is Jefferson City. The State election is held on 
the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the 
Legislature meets on the last Monday of December. The 



410 


MICHIGAN. 


enacting clause of the laws is: ‘‘ Be it enacted by the General 
Assembly of the State of Missouri as follows.*’ 

UNITED STATES SENATOES. 


Thomas H. Benton, 

from 

. 1821 

to 

1851. 

David Barton, 

u • 

1821 

u 

1831. 

Alexander Buckner, 

u 

1831 

u 

1833. 

Lewis F. Linn, 

a 

1833 

u 

1843. 

David B. Atchison, 


( 1843 

a 

1849. 



( 1849 

a 

1855. 

Gratz B. Brown, 


1863 

u 

1867. 

Henry S. Geyer, 

a 

1851 

a 

1857. 

Trusten Polk, 

a 

1857 

u 

1861. 

James S. Green, 

u 

1856 

a 

1861. 

Waldo P. Johnson, 

u 

1861 

i. 

1862. 

John B. Henderson, 

a 

1862 

a 

1869. 

Charles D. Drake, 

a 

1867 

u 

1871. 

Carl Schurz, 

a 

1869 

a 

1875. 

Francis P. Blair, 

a 

1871 

u 

1873. 

Lewis y. Bogy, 

u 

1873 

u 

1879. 



MICHIGAN. 


The name of this State is a contraction of two words in the 
Chippewa language, meaning ‘‘ Great Lake,” and was applied, 
by the Indians, to the two surrounding the lower peninsula. 
It was explored by Jesuit missionaries, who established nume¬ 
rous missions among various Indian tribes, and pushed their 
way, through perils and fatigues, west to the Mississippi, wliich 
they followed far north and south; to be soon outstripped by 
the adventurous La Salle. Detroit was founded about 1701. 




IN MICHIGAN. 

































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MICHIGAN. 


411 


Tlie settlements made little progress under French rule ; and 
when, in 1763, it passed under English control, the conspiracy 
of Pontiac nearly destroyed them. It was not till 1796 that 
the United States government took possession of the territory. 
Its growth was much retarded by the war of 1812, when it 
endured, for two years, all the barbarities of Indian war. 

A territorial government was organized in 1805. In 1818 
the lands were brought into the market, since which its pros¬ 
perity has been uninterrupted. It is remarkable in its position, 
and eminently so by its resources. The southern peninsula 
is very productive. The northern peninsula contains the rich¬ 
est copper mines in the world, and unlimited supplies of iron, 
while the quantity of the finest lumber, and the facilities for 
transporting it are superior. The fish taken in its lakes are 
excellent and abundant; its people are enterprising and intel¬ 
ligent ; and its State authorities have established one of the 
best Universities in the Union. Its future promises to become 
equal at least to that of the most favored State. 

The Territory of Michigan was changed into a State pre¬ 
liminarily June 15,1836, and was fully admitted to an equality 
with all the States January 26, 1837, making the twenty- 
fifth State (Arkansas was admitted on the same day). Her 
area is 56,243 square miles, equal to 35,995,520 acres. The 
population in 1870 was 1,184,296, which entitles her to nine 
Representatives in Congress. By an act of 1866, Michigan 
was located in the sixth judicial circuit; and forms two judicial 
districts, and has four collection districts and four ports of entry, 
viz.: Detroit, Port Huron, Grand Haven, and Michilimackinac; 
also five ports of delivery (if the President deem them neces- 
sary). 

The capital is Lansing. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets biennially on the first Wednesday in January. 

The enacting clause of the laws is as follows : “ The people 
of the State of Michigan enact.’’ 


412 


ARKANSAS. 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Lucius Lyon, 

from 

1836 

to 

1839. 

John Nor vail. 

a 

1836 

a 

1841. 

Augustus S. Porter, 

u 

1839 

66 

1845. 

William Woodbridge, 

u 

1841 

66 

1847. 

Lewis Cass, 

u 

1845 

66 

1857. 

Alpheus Felch, 

u 

1847 

66 

1853. 

Thomas Fitzgerald, 

(( 

1848 

66 

1849. 

Charles E. Stewart, 

u 

1853 

66 

1859. 

Zachariah Chandler, 

a 

1857 

66 

1875. 

Kinsley S. Bingham, 

(6 

1859 

66 

1861. 

Jacob M. Howard, 

66 

1862 


1871. 

Thomas W. Ferry, 

66 

1871 


1877. 



ARKANSAS. 


Arkansas was originally a portion of the Territory of Louis¬ 
iana. It remained a part of that territory until 1812, when 
the present State of Louisiana was admitted into the Union. 
The remainder of the territory was then formed into the Mis¬ 
souri Territory, and so remained until 1821 when Missouri 
was admitted into the Union, and Arkansas was erected into 
a separate territory, bearing the present name. In 1836, a 
State constitution was formed at Little Rock, and Arkansas 
became a State in the Union. It constituted the twenty-sixth 
State. It has an area of 52,193 square miles, equal to 33,406,- 
T20 acres. The population in 1870 was 483,197, which entitles 
her to four Representatives in Congress. Tlie eastern portion 
of the State, extending hack one hundred miles from the Mis¬ 
sissippi, is generally a vast plain covered with marshes, swamps. 






ARKANSAS. 


413 


and lagoons. The Ozark mountains which enter the north¬ 
west part of the State divide it into two uiie(|ual parts, of 
which the northern has the climate and productions of the 
Northern States, while the southern portion, in climate and 
productions, resembles Mississippi and Louisiana. The low¬ 
lands of Arkansas are unhealthy, while the more elevated por¬ 
tions of the State will compare favorably with the most health¬ 
ful and invigorating portions of the Northwest. There is a 
great variety of soil in this State. While some portions, like 
the river bottoms, are exceedingly fertile, other parts are sterile 
and barren. 

The staple products are Indian corn, cotton and live stock. 
Arkansas gives indications of rich mineral resources. 

This State lies in the eighth judicial circuit, and forms two 
judicial districts, the eastern and western. It has no ports of 
entry or delivery. 

The capital of the State is Little Eock. She holds her State 
election the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets but once in two years, on the first Monday in January. 
The enacting clause of the laws is: ‘‘ Be it enacted by the Gen¬ 
eral Assembly of the State of Arkansas.” 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


William S. Fulton, from 

1836 

to 

1844. 

Ambrose H. Sevier, “ 

1836 

a 

1848. 

Chester Ashley, “ 

1844 

a 

1847. 

William K. Sebastian, “ 

1848 

a 

1861. 

Solon Borland, ‘‘ 

1848 

u 

1853. 

Kobert W. Johnson, “ 

1853 

a 

1861. 

Charles B. Mitchell, “ 

1861 

u 

1861. 

Alexander McDonald, ‘‘ 

1868 

a 

1871. 

Benjamin F. Eice, “ 

1868 

a 

1873. 

Powell Clayton, 

1871 

a 

1877. 

Stephen W. Dorsey, 

1873 

u 

1879. 


414 


FLOKIDA. 



FLORIDA. 


This peninsula was discovered by Ponce de Leon, a com¬ 
panion of Columbus, in 1512, on Easter Sunday, called by the 
Spaniards Pascua Florida, which, with the profusion of flowers 
found at this early season in that tropical region, caused him 
to name it Florida—the flowery land.” It was first colonized 
by French Huguenots, for whom Admiral Coligni desired to 
And an asylum in the new world, from the fierce bigotry of the 
times. The first settlers (1564) became discouraged and 
returned; the second colony, established in 1566, was destroyed 
by the Spaniards. These founded a settlement in 1565 at St. 
Augustine, which was the oldest town in the United States 
settled by Europeans. It remained in their hands until 1763, 
when, by the terms of the “Peace of Paris,” it fell into the 
hands of the English. It was returned to Spain in 1783. 

It was acquired from Spain by treaty made with the United 
States in 1819, but the American authorities did not take posses¬ 
sion until July, 1821. The consideration given by our govern¬ 
ment was about five million dollars. It is a point running out 
from the Southeast border of our territory, of but little eleva¬ 
tion above the sea level, and swampy, but covered with an 
exuberant growth of vegetation with a chain of lakes from 
south to north through the center. The warmth of the climate, 
where no winter is ever known, promotes the growth of the 
rarest and most beautiful flowers; the clustering vines and 
dense foliage render its forests almost impenetrable, and its 
delicate mosses are the wonder and delight of the naturalist: 

O ^ 5 

while the splendid plumage of its tropical birds, flitting among 
the lemon and orange groves, laden at once with bud, flower 
and fruit, combine to add the scenery of the equatorial regions 


FLORIDA. 


416 


to the homely but more useful vegetable growth and beauty of 
our temperate zone. It is a resort of invalids during the 
rigors of the northern winter, its otherwise excessive heat being 
tempered by the sea breezes from either side. With its 
marshes drained and its vegetable growth subdued and guided 
by the industrious agriculturist, its supply of the fruits and 
other productions of warm climates would be inexhausti¬ 
ble. It is but partially settled, and its agricultural, commercial, 
and manufacturing facilities but slightly developed. Its wealth 
of resources remain to reward the enterprise and industry of 
the future. The railroad connections between its cities and 
other States furnish a' sufficient basis for improvement. 

Florida was admitted into the Union, March 3, 1845; mak¬ 
ing the twenty-seventh State. This State has an area of 59,2r)8 
square miles, equal to 37,931,520 acres. The population in 
1870 amounted to 187,756. She has one Uepresentative in 
Congress. 

Florida lies in the fifth judicial circuit, and forms two judi¬ 
cial districts; and has seven ports of entry—St. Augustine, 
Key West, Apalachicola, Pensacola, Magnolia, St. John’s 
Kiver, and Fernandina; and two ports of delivery—Palatka 
and Bay Port. 

The capital is Tallahasse. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets on the Tuesday after the first Monday in January. 

The enacting clause of the laws is: “Be it enacted by the 
Senate and House of Kepresentatives of the State of Florida, in 
General Assembly convened.” . 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


David L. Yulee, 

from 

1845 

to 

1861. 

J. D. Wescott, 

a 

1845 

a' 

1851. 

Jackson Morton, 

u 

1849 

u 

1855. 

S. R. Mallory, 

u 

1851 

1“ 

1861. 

A. S. Welch, 

u 

1868 

u 

1869. 

Thomas W. Osborn, 

a 

1868 

a 

1873. 

Abijali Gilbert, 

u 

1869 


1875. 

Simon B. Conover, 

u 

1873 

u 

1879. 


416 


IOWA. 



IOWA. 

1 . The name of this State in the Indian tongue is said to 
mean “ Tlvls is the Land.^^ Few States have a surface, soil, 
and position so uniformly excellent for all their different sec¬ 
tions. A high rolling prairie, well drained by streams, of 
great fertility, and almost no sterile or waste land; beautiful 
to look upon in its alternations of rise and fall, of prairie, 
stream, and timber; bounded on its extremes by the two mighty 
branches of the “Father of Waters,” with numerous smaller 
rivers hundreds of miles in length within its limits; its south¬ 
ern region underlaid by a vast bed of coal, its northern rich in 
deposits of lead; a climate free from the severity of Minnesota 
and Wisconsin winters, and from the intemperate heats of 
Missouri and Kentucky summers, it is a land to be satisfied 
with; and justifies the picturesque name given it by its ancient 
appreciative owners. 

2. It was first visited by Europeans in 1673. Marquette 
and Joliet, two French Jesuit missionaries, whom the vast 
magnitudes of the Korth American continent seemed to stim¬ 
ulate like new wine,, roamed alone over these immense dis¬ 
tances, preserved by their characteristic French cordiality from 
the suspicion and hostility of the numerous warlike Indian 
tribes—who everywhere received them with hospitality, treated 
them with respect, and dismissed them with assistance— 
passed, in that year, down the Mississippi, and, landing a little 
above the mouth of the Moingona—which, from the similarity 
of sound, they corrupted into Des Moines, (Monk’s River)— 
they fearlessly followed an Indian trail fourteen miles into the 
interior to an Indian village. Some tradition or prophecy had 


AN IOWA PICNIC PARTY. 



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IOWA. 


417 


forewarned the Indians of venerable white visitors, and they 
were received at once as expected and honored guests. The 
new religion they announced, and the authority of the king of 
France which they proclaimed, raised no remonstrance or hos¬ 
tile feeling, and they were sent on their way down the river 
with the ‘‘ Pipe of Peace.” The grand visions of the future 
entertained by these and other French explorers were never 
realized by that nation. It was more than a hundred years 
later that the first settlement was made by Julian Du Buque on 
the site of the present city of that name. He obtained a grant 
of 180,000 acres from the Indians, established a trading post, 
and worked the lead mines, with great profit; but the time had 
not come for dispossessing the Indians, and almost fifty years 
more passed before any other settlement was attempted. 

3. In 1832 the Winnebagoes, Sacs, and Foxes united under 
the Winnebago chief. Black Hawk, to invade and repossess the 
lands in Illinois which they had ceded to the government. 
Gen. Atkinson met and defeated them on the Upper Iowa, tak¬ 
ing Black Hawk and his son prisoners. They were taken east, 
kindly treated, and set at liberty; and in the following year a 
treaty was made which ultimately extinguished the Indian 
title to the whole of Iowa, the Indians removing west of the 
Missouri. In the same year a settlement was made at Bur¬ 
lington. The time for Iowa had come. In 1834 it was joined 
to the Territory of Michigan, in 1837 was reorganized as part 
of the Wisconsin territory, and, in 1838, became a separate 
territory with the capital at Burlington. This was, in 1839, 
removed to Iowa City. Dec. 28th, 1846, it was admitted into 
the Union as a Sovereign State. In 1840 it had a population 
of over 40,000, in 1850 of nearly 200,000. A steady growth 
followed, and she has now, probably, a million and a half of 
inhabitants. Four parallel lines of railroad pass entirely across 
the State from east to west, three from north to south, and 
various others are in process of building or form intersecting 
lines. She is scarcely yet fully launched into her career of 
greatness. When her virgin soil shall all be broken up and its 
27 


418 


IOWA. 


hidden wealth evoked by her intelligent and skillful agricul¬ 
turists, when the full tide of commerce on her two great rivers 
shall have set in to supplement her railroads, and mature 
oig’aiiization shall have made all her resources available, she 
will take her proper place in the hrst rank of States in the 
Union, and her citizens will repeat with satisfaction and pride 
the Indian declaration, “ This is the Land.” 

Iowa was the twenty-eighth State, on its admission, in 1846. 
It has an area of 55,045 square miles, equal to 35,228,800 acres. 
The population in 1870 was 1,191,802, wdiich entitles her to 
nine Representatives in Congress. This State lies in the eighth 
judicial circuit, and makes one judicial district. She has no 
port of entiy, but has three ports of delivery, to-wit: Burling¬ 
ton, Keokuk, and Dubuque; all of which are attached to the 
collection district of New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana. 

Des Moines is the capital. The State election is held on the 
second Tuesday of October. The Legislature meets biennially 
on the second Monday in January. 

The enacting clause of her laws is in these words: “Be it 
enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

George W. Jones, from 1848 to 1859. 

Augustus C. Dodge, “ 1848 “ 1855. 


James Harlan, 

James W. Grimes, 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 
James B. Howell, 
George G. Wright, 
William B. Allison, 


j 1856 “ 1865. 
( 1867 “ 1873. 
1859 “ 1869. 
1866 “ 1867. 

1870 “ 1871. 

1871 “ 1877. 
1873 “ 1879. 


TEXAS. 


419 



TEXAS. 

This State forms the southwestern portion of the United 
States. The first settlement in Texas was made on Matagorda 
bay, under the French led by La Salle, in 1685. It passed 
into the possession of the Spanish in the year 1690. 

After the independence of Mexico, in 1822, Texas remained 
a Mexican province until the revolution of 1836, when it gained 
its independence. It continued an independent republic, mod¬ 
eled on the United States, until 1845, when it became a portion 
of the territory of the United States. In 1846 it was admitted 
into the Union making the twenty-ninth State. It has an area 
of 237,504 square miles, equal to 152,002,560 acres. The pop¬ 
ulation in 1870 was 797,500, which entitles her to six members 
of Congress. 

This State embraces every variety of surface; mountain, plain, 
hill, and desert waste lie within its limits. The climate is free 
from the extremes of both the temperate and torrid zones, 
producing, in the north, many of the products of the temper¬ 
ate, and in the. south many of those of the torrid zone. The 
variation in the temperature from the season of mnter to that 
of summer is quite small, giving the State as equable a climate 
as any in the world. While it shares the genial climate of the 
“ sunny South ” it is free from all the deadly swamp exhala¬ 
tions of the lower Mississippi States. The soil, on the whole, 
is as fertile as any in the world. It furnishes the very best 
natural pasture all the year round. Cotton in large quantities 
—Indian corn, wheat, rye, oats and other small grains—tobacco, 
indigo and rice, are the staide products. The grape, mulberry 
and the vanilla, are indigenous and abundant. Cayenne pepper 


420 


TEXAS. 


is grown in vast quantities. Fruit is no less various and abun¬ 
dant than its other products. The peach, nectarine, tig, plum, 
(j^uince and a great variety of berries flourish here. Oranges, 
lemons, limes and melons, grow well. Live stock of all varie¬ 
ties and in vast numbers fatten on the plains, and are shipped 
in all directions to supply every demand. 

Texas abounds in minerals. Rich silver mines are already 
worked successfully at San Saba. Gold in small quantities 
has been found west of the Colorado river. Coal is abundant. 
Iron is found in many parts of the State. There are also salt 
lakes and salt springs, copper, alum, lime, agates, chalcedony, 
jasper and a white and red sandstone. 

Texas lies in the flfth judicial circuit, and makes two judi¬ 
cial districts, the eastern and the western. There are three 
collection districts in the State. The respective ports of eiitry 
for these districts are Galveston, La Salle, and Brazos Santiago. 
To these are attached nine ports of delivery. 

The capital is Austin. The Legislature is composed of a 
Senate, elected for four years, and a House of Representatives, 
elected for two years. The sessions of the Legislature are 
biennial and are held in December. The Governor is elected 
for four years. 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

Thomas F. Rusk, from 1846 

to 

1856. 

Samuel Houston, 

u 

1846 

a 

1859. 

Pinckney J. Henderson, 

u 

1857 

a 

1858. 

Matthias Ward, 

u 

1858 

u 

1861. 

John Hemphill, 

ii 

1869 

u 

1871. 

Lewis T. Wigfall, 

ii 

1859 

u 

1861. 

J. W. Flannagan, 

u 

1869 

u 

1875. 

Morgan C. Hamilton, 

u 

1871 

u 

1877. 



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WISCONSIN. 


421 



WISCONSIN. 

1 . Tills State was visited and crossed by the early French 
explorers about 1665, and a settlement was made at Green Bay 
in 1669 and soon after on the Mississippi, at Prairie du Chien. 
It was the policy of these enterprising men to connect the 
French settlements on the lower St. Lawrence by a chain of 
stations on the lakes and rivers with the month of the Missis¬ 
sippi. This would have* passed through the heart of the 
country and have laid open its chief resources at once. It was 
a bold conception. We see it nowhere among the English 
explorers and settlers, who seemed not to like to lose sight of 
their ships; but it is quite in keeping with the grand and 
rapid genius of the French; and, as in so many other cases, by 
attempting too much they lost the whole. The English, if 
slower, were sure, and consolidated their possessions on the 
coast, gradually pushing westward as they were able to hold 
their ground. 

2 . The French explorers have left traces of their untiring 
activity in the names of rivers and places, and even Indian 
tribes, but the attention of their home government was soon 
withdrawn from them. No furtlier extention was given to 
settlement for near 150 years, notwithstanding it was so easy 
of access from the south by the Mississippi river, and from the 
east by the chain of great lakes. Yery fortunately, as it now 
seems, all this vast and valuable territory in the heart of the 
continent, equal, perhaps in its natural wealth, to the original 
resources of the whole of Europe, was reserved to reward the 
labors and consolidate the beneficent power of a Nation of 
Freemen, carefully trained and adapted to their high destiny. 




422 


WISCONSIN. 


3 . The tide of emigration flowed westward by way of the 
Ohio river, and the States south were settled and admitted into 
the Union long before Wisconsin received even a Territorial 
government. This occurred in 1836, and in 1840 the census 
gave it but little over 30,000 inhabitants. Population now flowed 
steadily to it and we And, in 1850, over 300,000 inhabitants. 
It was admitted into the Union in 1848, making the thirtieth 
State. Its high latitude probably had sojnething to do with 
this deferred settlement, the milder winters of the more south¬ 
ern range of States attracting the emigrants first. The climate, 
however, has important advantages over the States in question, 
being drier, less changeable, and not so subject to extremes. It 
is very healthy, and probably the oldest man in the country 
was living, hale and hearty, in this State, a few years ago, at 
the patriarchal age of 139. Tlie climate is milder than in the 
same latitude farther east. 

4. The surface is a high rolling prairie, open and mostly 
treeless, except near streams and bodies of water in the south, 
but in the north covered with timber. Vast forests of 
pine grow on the northern slope, which is some 1,200 feet 
above the level of the sea. Some parts of the State fall 600 
feet below that elevation; and a succession of ridges having a 
general direction east and west, separate the rivers flowing into 
Lake Superior, Green Bay, and Lake Michigan, while many 
streams flow southwest into the Mississippi. The State is 285 
miles long by 255 wide. Its beautiful prairies, gratefully 
returning a bountiful harvest to the intelligent farmer; its 
numerous charming lakes and ponds; its remarkable commer¬ 
cial advantages by lakes and rivers, supplemented by canals and 
railroads; its great manufacturing facilities, and valuable min¬ 
eral deposits, give great promise to its future. AUheat is the 
leading agricultural staple, but all the grains, vegetables, and 
fruits of the Northern States well reward cultivation. It has 
an area of 52,924 square miles, equal to 34,511,360 acres. In 
1870 the population amounted to 1,055,167, which gave her 
eight Members of Congress. AUisconsin lies in the seventh 


CALIFORNIA. 


423 


judicial circuit (which is composed of Wisconsin, Indiana and 
Illinois,) and forms one judicial district. It has one collection 
district, one port of entry (Milwaukee,) and five ports of deliv- 
ery, viz.: Southport, Racine, Sheboygan, Green Bay and 
Depere. 

The capital of the State is Madison. The Legislature meets 
on the second Wednesday in January. The State election is on 
the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 

The enacting clause of her laws is as follows: ‘‘The people 
of AWsconsin, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as 
follows.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Henry Dodge, 

from 

1848 

to 

1857. 

Isaac P. Walker, 

a 

1848 

u 

1855. 

Charles Durkee, 

ii. 

1855 

u 

1861. 

James R. Doolittle, 

u 

1857 

u 

1869. 

Timothy 0. Howe, 

u 

1861 

u 

1875. 

M. H. Carpenter, 

a 

1869 

u 

1875. 



CALIFO RNIA 


Is said to have been visited by the Spaniards in 1542, and by 
Sir Francis Drake, a celebrated English navigator, in 1578. 
The first mission was founded by Spanish Catholics in 1769. 
It was sparsely settled by Mexican rancheros, who occupied 
themselves chiefly in raising cattle. In 1846 Fremont, who 
had been conducting an exj^loring party across the great plains 
and the Rocky Mountains, defeated^ in conjuncion with Com¬ 
modore Stockton, the Mexican forces in California, and took 
possession of it in the name of the United States; to which it 


424 


CALIFORNIA. 


was definitely ceded by tlie treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Feb. 
2 nd, 1848; the United States government paying Mexico for 
that territory and Hew Mexico $15,000,000, besides paying 
$3,500,000 indemnity, due from Mexico to citizens of the 
United States. 

Scarcely, had this arrangement been made, when it was pub¬ 
lished that California was rich in gold, and adventurers from 
all sections of the Union, and various countries of the Old 
World, rushed in like a flood. For some years, society there, 
composed in large part, of the wildest and most ungovernable 
elements of old communities, w'as like a seething volcano; but, 
to the immortal honor of American citizens, it was subdued by 
the superior resolution and summary vigor of the better class 
of emigrants from the States, and was admitted into the Union 
on the 7th of Sept. 1850, with a clause in its Constitution pro 
hibiting slavery. The discussion in Congress on this point 
came near precipitating the Civil War that broke out ten years 
later. The diificulty between the slavery and anti-slavery 
parties was adjusted by compromise measures, for the time, but 
only served to allay the agitation produced by conflict of inter¬ 
ests and opinions, which was irreconcilable. 

California “ The Golden,” proved extraordinarily rich in 
precious metals and other minerals, as quicksilver, platinum, 
asphaltum, iron, lead, and rare qualities of marble. Its gold 
mines alone from 1858 to 1868 produced over $800,000,000. 

It is a broken country, traversed by two ranges of moun¬ 
tains. The valleys are exceedingly productive. They are 
unexcelled for wheat; all kinds of fruit grow in the great¬ 
est perfection; and the grape culture promises to equal, if 
not to excel, the products, of the most famous vineyards of 
Europe. Surprising as is her mineral wealth, her agricultural 
possibilities are far greater, and her commerce is already 
immense, and bids fair, from her position and relations to 
Eastern Asia, and the western parts of South America, to rival 
that of the Atlantic States. 

The world was ripe for the discovery of these unparalleled 


CALIFORNIA. 


425 


treasures, and civilization was prepared to use them for the 
good of mankind. The ready passage across the vast and 
inhospitable deserts of the American continent, by means of 
railways, has alread}^ changed (and will probably change still 
more in the future) the course of commerce; and San Fran¬ 
cisco and New York may hope to rule, in large part, the 
commerce of the world. 

California is remarkable for the salubrity of its climate, 
where the rigors of winter (save on the mountains), and the 
excessive heats of summer are equally unknown, and for the 
variety and magnitude of its natural curiosities. Of the l^st 
the Yosemite valley and the Big Trees are the most prominent. 
She has near 1,000 miles of railroad, and has made ample pro¬ 
vision for education. 

Oalfornia was the thirty-first State. It has an area of 188,982 
square miles, equal to 120,948,480 acres. The population in 
1870 was 560,285, entitling her to four Representatives .in 
Congress. 

By act of 1866, this State, with Oregon and Nevada, con¬ 
stitutes the ninth judicial circuit, and forms two judicial 
districts. California has seven ports of entry, viz.: San Fran¬ 
cisco, Monterey, San Diego, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Joaquin 
and San Pedro; also, one port of delivery, Santa Barbara. 
California was obtained from Mexico by conquest in 1846. 

The capital is Sacramento. She liolds her State election on 
tlie first Tuesday in September. Her Legislature meets on tlie 
first Monday in December, but meets only once in two yeaivs. 

The enacting danse of her laws is: “ The people of the State 
of California, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as 
follows.’’ 


UNITED 

STATES SENATORS. 



John C. Fremont, 

from 

1850 

to 

1851. 

William M. Gwin, 

u 

1850 

u 

1861. 

John B. Weller, 

u 

1851 

a 

1857. 

H. P. Tlann, 

a 

1859 

u 

1862. 

David C. Broderick, 

u 

1856 

u 

1859. 


42G 


MINNESOTA. 


Milton S. Latham, 

from 

1860 

to 

1866. 

John Conness, 


1863 

a 

1869. 

Cornelius Cole, 


1867 

u 

1873. 

J. A. McDougall, 

u 

1861 

u 

1867. 

Eugene Casserly, 


1869 

u 

1875. 

Aaron A. Sargent, 

u 

1873 

(( 

1879. 



MINNESOTA. 

This State might be called the Mother of Rivers, since it 
contains the high watershed, or tableland, where the rivers 
sending their waters to two oceans, in three directions, hav^e 
their sources. The head waters of the Mississippi, the St. 
Lawrence, and the streams flowing into the frozen ocean of the 
north are all found here. In 1680 the unwearied La Salle 
visited the head waters of the Mississippi, but this region was 
long left to the sole occupation of the Indians. 

Fort Snelling, near St. Paul, was built in 1819. No other 
territory was acquired, by extinction of the Indian title to the 
soil, until 1837; and in 1849 the civilized population gathered 
about the trading posts and missions amounted to less than 
5,000. It then received a Territorial government. A consid¬ 
erable portion of the State having in 1851 been ceded, by 
treaty with the Indians, to the government, was immediately 
entered on by the settlers; and in 1858 it was prepared to 
take rank among the sovereign States. It was admitted in 
May of this year, by act of Congress. 

In 1862 the State passed through the appalling crisis of an 
Indian massacre of the outlying settlements. It began without 
warning, in the midst of fancied security, and before adequate 



DELLS OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER, MINNESOTA. 
















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MINNESOTA. 


427 


protection could be forwarded, some 500 men, 'women, and 
cliildren were murdered with all the accompaniments of 
savage cruelty. Some $3,000,000 of property was destroyed. 
In a short time sufficient force was gathered to overpower the 
savages, and they were in large part removed from the State. 

The surface is undulating and high, and the soil, in good 
part, extremely fertile. Portions are open and rolling prairie; 
the remainder heavily wooded. Tliough the winters are 
long and cold, the air is dry and invigorating, and the cli¬ 
mate healthy. It is specially favorable to the growth of wheat. 
Commerce is favored by the Mississippi, navigable to St. 
Paul, and by good harbors on Lake Superior, as well as by 
numerous railways. Its provision for education is excellent, 
and a State University at St. Anthony’s Falls promises to 
form a suitable crown to its intellectual advantages. 

This State was admitted into the Union on the 11th day of 
May, 1858» and made the thirty-second State. It has an area 
of 83,531 square miles, equal to 53,459,840 acres. The popu¬ 
lation in 1870 amounted to 435,511. This State is entitled to 
three Members of Congress. 

It lies in the eighth judicial circuit, which is composed of 
Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and Minnesota. Minne¬ 
sota forms one judicial district, and has no ports of entry or 
delivery. 

St. Paul is the capital. The Legislature meets annually on 
the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The State 
election is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in 
January. 


UNITED 

STATES 

SENATORS. 



Henry M. Kice, 

from 

1857 

to 

1863. 

James Shields, 

a 

1857 

u 

1859. 

Alex. Kamsey, 

u 

1863 

a 

1875. 

Daniel Norton, 

u 

1865 

u 

1871. 

Mort. S. Wilkinson, 

a 

1859 

u 

1865. 

William Windom, 

a 

1871 

a 

1877. 


428 


OREGON. 



OREGON 


Was discovered by Spanish adventurers in the sixteenth 
century. In 1792 Capt. Grey, of Boston, discovered the 
Columbia river and entered it, securing the sovereignty ot the 
country to the United States by right of first exploration. It 
was more thorough!}’ explored by Lewis and Clark, appointed 
for that purpose by the United States government, in 1804-5-6. 
Tlie northern part, (now Washington Territory,) was claimed 
by Great Britain, and the conflicting claims produced long and 
dangerous diplomatic contention, which was finally peaceably 
ended in favor of the United States. 

In 1811 a fur trading company established a fort and settle¬ 
ment at the mouth of the Columbia, which was taken posses* 
sion of by the English in the latter part of 1813. The coun¬ 
try was claimed by them until 1846, when the boundaries were 
settled by treaty; giving Oregon to the United States. Settle¬ 
ment from the States, however, commenced in 1839, and con¬ 
tinued to increase until 1848, when a territorial government 
was organized. The excitement consequent on the discovery 
of gold in California drew off many of its citizens; but was, 
in part, counteracted by the extraordinary inducements made 
to actual settlers. A State constitution was adopted by the 
people Nov. 9th, 1857, but it was not admitted, by act of Con¬ 
gress, into the Union, until Feb. 14th, 1859, making the thirty- 
third State. 

The surface of the country is divided by three ranges of 
mountains, the Cascade, Blue and Rociky mountains. The 
Cascade Range has the highest peaks found in the United 
States. The climate is mild near the coast, l)ut more severe in 


OREGON. 


429 


higher eastern parts. The high eastern regions are volcanic, 
containing vast tracts of lava, entirely sterile; the middle is 
well adapted to grazing, in many parts. The valuable farming 
lands are in the western division, along the various tributary 
streams of the Columbia. Wheat is the great staple; rye, 
oats, and vegetables, are grown with success. Fruit is also 
produced in abundance. Its supply of coal and copper is said 
to be unlimited; and it is specially celebrated for its extensive 
forests of gigantic trees. Manufactures and commerce are, as 
yet, undeveloped; but will be important in the future. Little 
has been done in the way of internal improvement. 

Oregon has experienced the disadvantage of growing up in 
the shade of her splendid neighbor, California, but has a 
solidly prosperous future before her. 

It has an area of 95,274 square miles, equal to 60,975,360 
acres. The population amounted in 1870 to 90,922, which did 
not reach the number required to entitle it to a Member ot 
Congress according to the fixed ratio. But every State is 
entitled to one member, whatever its population may be. By 
act of 1866, the States of Oregon, Nevada and California were 
constituted the ninth judicial circuit. Oregon forms one judi¬ 
cial district, and has one collection district, and one port of 
entry. 

The capital is Salem, where her Legislature meets once in 
two years, on the second Monday of September. The State 
election is held on the first Monday in June. 


UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Joseph Lane, 

from 

1859 

to 

1861. 

Delazon Smith, 

u 

1859 

u 

1860. 

Edward D. Baker, 

u 

1861 

a 

1861. 

Benj. F. Harding, 

a 

1862. 



James W. Hesmitli, 

u 

1861 

u 

1867. 

Benjamin Stark, 

u 

1861 

u 

1862. 

Geo. H. Williams, 

u 

1865 

ii 

1871. 

Henry W. Corbett, 

u 

1867 

u 

1873. 

James K. Kelly, 

u 

1871 

u 

1877. 

John H. Mitchell, 

u 

1873 

a 

1879. 


430 


KANSAS. 



KANSAS. 


1. Nearly every State in the American Union has some 
advantage that is peculiar to it, or that it shares in a degree so 
eminent as to distinguish it from all others. Kansas is not an 
exception, and some of these are exceedingly attractive. They 
enter, to some extent, into the painful and bloody history of 
its first settlement; the mighty tragedy of the Civil War 
having enacted its prelude on her fertile plains. The Kansas 
and Nebraska Bill, in 1854, repealed the Missouri Compro¬ 
mise, and this territory was opened to a trial of strength 
between Freedom and Slavery; the contest being transferred 
from the floors of Congress and the Kepresentatives of the 
people to the settlers of the soil, who were to determine 
whether slavery should, or not, exist in it, as a State. The 
attraction of a decisive political struggle was added to the 
many favorable features of position, climate, and intrinsic 
value. Southern people sought to introduce their peculiar 
institution, and northern people resisted. There was much 
disorder and bloodshed. Every effort was made, by strategy 
and force, on the one side and the other. The southern party 
was signally defeated and there was henceforth no hope of 
preserving to the slave States a balance of power in the 
national government, and the civil war followed, almost as a 
natural consequence. 

2. Kansas is larger by more than 3,000 square miles than 
the whole of New England. It lies very near the geographical 
centre of the country, and stretches a friendly hand, by the 
Pacific Railroads, to both the Atlantic and Pacific States. A 
good part of her soil is declared to be much superior to that 


KANSAS. 


431 


of ordinary prairie land in richness, and to average four feet 
in depth. It is fairly watered and timbered, and freely pro¬ 
duces everything, except the proper tropical products of the 
extreme south, that is grown in the United States. The cli¬ 
mate is that of Yirginia, without its excessive heat; which 
may, perhaps, be considered balanced by its occasional exces¬ 
sively sharp and cutting winds in winter. These, however, are 
tolerably rare, and the winters, for the most part, short and 
mild, the climate being, on the whole very healthy. Its 
deposits of salt are exceedingly rich, and other minerals 
abound in various parts. Its commercial position is excellent, 
and its manufacturing capabilities all that the future will be 
likely to recpiire. Its resources, under suitable development, 
cannot be considered inferior to any other equal area in the 
country; which is speaking in the strongest language we can 
command, considering what may be said of so many different 
localities. 

3. The eastern surface is a succession of waves, or undula¬ 
tions, the valleys generally extending north and south. A nar¬ 
row section west of it, stretching across the State is more level 
and the soil lighter. Beyond this long reaches of level, fertile, 
and well w^atered lands are adapted to flocks and herds. These 
are much higher than the river beds, the valleys of which 
abound in bottoms, beautiful in appearance and situation, and 
of inexhaustible fertility. Yast beds of coal, a good quality 
and abundant quantity of iron ore, and petroleum and lead 
have been discovered. Corn and wheat are the leading staples, 
and it is believed that fruit culture will soon become a leading 
interest of this promising State. 

Kansas w^as admitted into the Union as a State, Jan. 29, 
1861, making the thirty-fourth State. Kansas has an area of 
78,841 square miles, equal to 50,187,520 acres. The popula¬ 
tion in 1870 was 362,812, giving her three Bepresentatives in 
Congress. This State is in the eighth judicial circuit, and 
forms one judicial district. It has no ports ot entry or 
delivery. 


432 


WPm VIRGINIA. 


Topeka is the capital. The State election is held on the 
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Legislature 
meets on the second Tuesday in January. 

The enacting clause of the laws is as follows: ‘‘ Be it enacted 
by the Legislature of the State of Kansas.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


James Henry Lane, from 1861 

Samuel C. Pomeroy, “ 1861 

E. G. Boss, “ 1866 

Alexander Caldwell, “ 1871 

* Robert Crozier, “ 

John J. Ingalls, “ 1873 

* Appointed by Governor to fill vacancy. 


to 


1866. 

1873. 

1871. 

1877. 

1877. 

1879. 



WEST VIRGINIA. 


This is the only State ever formed, under the Constitution, 
by the division of an organized State. The interests of West 
Virginia were always different from those of the eastern part; 
and when, at the commencement of the Civil War, the eastern 
part seceded, the western remained loyal and was erected into 
a separate State; thus realizing the ancient wish of its citizens. 

The act of Congress organizing it as a State was passed 
December 31st, 1862, with condition that it should take effect 
60 days after proclamation of its admission by the President 
of the United States. This proclamation was issued April 
21st, 1863; and it was admitted to representation in Congress 
as a sovereign State J une 20th thereafter. A temporary gov¬ 
ernment without representation in Congress had been formed 
in May, 1862. It was the thirty-fifth State admitted into the 
Union. t 



NEVADA. 


433 


It is varied in surface, from high mountain ranges, hilly and 
undulating midlands, to level and rich river bottoms; and is 
nearly all available either for cultivation or grazing ; while its 
valuable deposits of coal lie very near the surface in nearly all 
pai'ts of the State. Iron abounds, and timber of the best 
cpiality. Its manufacturing facilities are great; and its canals 
and railroads, with the Ohio river on its northwestern border, 
furnish the means of making it one of the richest States in the 
Union. The climate is healthy, and the scenery picturesque, 
and in places it rises to wild grandeur. 

It has an area of 23,000 square miles, or 14,720,000 acres. 

The population, in 1870 was 445,616. This State has now 
three Members of Congress. West Virginia was subsequently 
put into the fourth judicial circuit, and constitutes one judicial 
district. Parkersburg, also, was made a port of delivery. 

Charleston is the capital. The State election is held on the 
fourth Thursday in October. The Legislature meets on the 
second Tuesday in January. 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 


Peter Gr. Van Winkle, from 

1863 

to 1869. 

Waitman T. Willey, 

1863 

- 1871. 

Arthur J. Boreman, “ 

1868 

“ 1875. 

H. G. Davis, “ 

1871 

“ 1877. 



NEVADA. 


‘‘The Snowy Land ” derives its name from the SieiTa Ne¬ 
vada, or Snowy Kange of mountains forming the eastern boun¬ 
dary of California. It lies in the western part of the basin 
of the G-reat Salt Lake and among those mountains, in whose 
rocky bosom was foiu i the stimulus that has changed so much 
28 


434 


NEVADA. 


of the Pacific slope, and the Pocky Mountain region, from a 
wild and dismal waste to populous and thriving States. 

Gold was found in moderate quantities among the mountains, 
and population began to scatter slowly over them about 1850, 
and soon settlers began to improve the valleys at the foot of 
the mountains on the east for agricultural ])urposes. Carson 
county was organized by the territorial government of Utah in 
1854; but in June, 1859, rich deposits of silver were found ; 
and emigration began to pour in rapidly. In March, 1861, 
the Territory of Pevada was organized, and the same month, 
three years later, it was admitted into the Union, making the 
thirty-sixth State. 

The history of these States, so rich in precious metals, puts 
to the blush the fantastic fables of the Arabian ISTights. The 
silver mines of Nevada are believed to be the richest in the 
world. The celebrated silver mines of Potosi, in South America, 
never produced over $10,000,000 a year, while in 1867, one 
mine in Nevada produced $17,500,000, and is thought to be 
almost, or quite, inexhaustible. The climate, like that of Cali¬ 
fornia, is healthy; the seasons are divided into wet and dry, 
and agriculture is dependent on irrigation. With time and 
pains its products will be considerable. It has much wild and 
sublime scenery, and some natural curiosities; as Lake Mono, 
with its waters so sharply acid as to destroy cloth and leather 
immersed in it. Its gloomy surroundings, and the great dis¬ 
tance from the tops of the precipitous rocks surrounding its 
shores to the surface of the water lend an impressive and fear¬ 
ful character to its severe desolation. It lies below the reach 
of the winds, and no living thing can exist in its waters. 

It has an area of 63,473 square miles, or 40,622,720 acres. 
The population in 1860, while yet a Territory, was 6,857. In 
1870 it had increased to 42,491. In conformity with the Con¬ 
stitutional provision that every State shall have one Represent¬ 
ative in Congress, Nevada has one. This State lies in the ninth 
judicial circuit, and forms one judicial district, called the dis¬ 
trict of Nevada. 


NEBRASKA. 


435 


Carson City is the capital. The State election is held on the 
hrst Tuesday in November ; and the Legislature meets on the 
first Monday in January. 

The enacting clause of the laws is in the following words : 

The people of the State of Nevada, represented in Senate 
and Assembly, do enact as follows.” 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

James W. Nye, from 1865 to 1873. 

William M. Stewart, “ 1865 ‘‘ 1875. 

John P. Jones, 1873 1879. 



NEBRASKA 


1. Formed a part of the Louisiana Purchase from the 
French government in 1803. It received a Territorial govern¬ 
ment in 1854, and was, by the provisions of the Kansas-Ne- 
braska Bill, equally with Kansas, exposed to the introduction 
of slavery; but the Southern people limited their efforts in that 
direction to Kansas, and Nebraska did not share in its disorder 
and bloodshed. 

2. The greater portion of the country consists of a high, 
rolling prairie. The soil in the eastern part of the State is 
nearly the same as that of the adjoining portions of Iowa and 
Kansas. It is a rich loam, finely pulverized, and admirably 
adapted to cultivation. The second district, near the center 
of the State, is strictly pastoral. The third, or western section, 
has a fair soil, but is destitute of timber, and insufficiently 
supplied with water. 

Throughout the fertile portion of the State, wheat, corn, oats, 
and other cereals, and vegetables and fruits yield largely. Yast 
herds of buffaloes formerly roamed over its prairies ; but they 



436 


NEBRASKA. 


are now mostly exterminated. The altitude of Nebraska secures 
to it a dry, pure, and salubrious atmosphere. Rain is not abun¬ 
dant, but, in the eastern part, is sufficient for the purposes of 
the agriculturist. Salt, limestone, and coal are found in various 
localities, and not improbably other minerals will be found in 
paying quantities. The State is too new to fully estimate all 
its resources and capabilities. 

3. The educational advantages are good. The Common 
School System, modeled on that of Ohio, is well supplied with 
funds, embracing one-sixteenth of the public land, or 2,500,000 
acres. 90,000 acres were given to endow a State Agricultural 
College, and 46,081 acres to the State University. 

Its commercial facilities are supplied by the Missouri River, 
the Pacific and other railroads, and are amply sufficient to 
develop its resources. The future of the State has many ele¬ 
ments of promise. No public debt impedes its growth, and 
within the last few years it has increased in wealth and popu¬ 
lation more rapidly than any of the adjoining States or Terri¬ 
tories. An unknown, but certainly not limited, amount of 
wealth still lies locked up in its soil, and its relation to ocean 
commerce by the mighty Missouri, and to inter-State trade by 
lying in the great traveled route between the Atlantic and 
Pacific States, with a remarkably fine, healthy climate, and the 
ease with which its soil is worked, contribute to form a power¬ 
ful attraction to labor and capital, and we have no reason to 
suspect any decrease in its rapid progress. 

4. On its admission, in 1867, it was the thirty-seventh 
State. It has an area of 122,007 square miles, or 78,084,480 acres. 

Population in 1870, 123,000. It forms the ninth judicial 
district, and has no ports of entry or delivery. 

The capital is Lincoln. The State election is held on the 
second Tuesday in October. The Legislature meets on the 
Thursday after the first Monday in January. 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

John M. Thayer, from 1867 to 1871. 

Thomas W. Tipton, “ 1867 “ 1875. 

Phineas W. Hitchcock, 1871 “ 1877. 


CHAPTER LXYII. 

MOTTOES AXH HAMES OF THE STATES. 


United States — E Plurihiis Unum^ ‘‘Out of Many, One.’’ 

Alabama — Has no motto. Hame, from its principal riv^er, 
means “Here we rest,” and denotes the satisfaction of the 
Indians with its agreeable landscape and climate. 

Arkansas— Regnantpopuli —“The people rule.” Has the 
Indian name of its river. Is called the “ Bear State.” 

California— Eureka^ her Greek motto, means “I have 
found it.” Derives her name from the bay forming the penin¬ 
sula of lower California. 

Connecticut— Qui traixstulit Smtinet^ “He wdio brought 
us over sustains us.” JSTame from her river, which means, in 
the Indian tongue, “The long river.” Is called the “Hutmeg 
State.” 

Delaware —Motto, Liberty and Independence. Was named 
from Lord Delaware, an English statesman. Is called “ The 
Blue Hen.” 

Florida —Motto, “ In God is our trust.” Hame from the 
abundance of flowers when discovered, on Easter Sunday. In 
Spanish Florida means flowery. 

Georgia —Motto, “Wisdom, justice and moderation.” 
Hamed from George II, King of England when it was settled. 

Illinois —Motto, “ State Sovereignty, JSTational Union.” 
Kame derived from an Indian tribe, also applied by them to 
Lake Michigan and her largest inland river. Means “We 
are the men.” Is called the “ Sucker State.” 

Indiana —Has no motto. Kame suggested by its numerous 
Indian population. It is called the “Hoosier State.” 

Iowa —Motto, “Our liberties we prize, our rights we will 
maintain.” Its Indian name means “This is the Land.” Is 
called the “ Hawk Eye State.” 

Kansas —Motto, Ad astraper aspera^ “ To the stars through 
diflSculties.” Name means “Smoky water,” and is derived 
from one of her rivers. 


( 487 ) 


438 


MOTTOES AND NAMES OF THE STATES. 


Kentucky —Motto, ‘‘United we stand, divided we 
Bears the Indian name of one of her rivers. The Indians 
termed it the “ dark and bloody ground.” ' It was the battle 
held of northern and Southern Indians. Is called the “ Blue 
Grass State.” 

Louisiana —Motto, “Union and confidence.” Named from 
Louis XIY, King of France. It is called “ The Creole State.” 

Maine —Latin motto, Dirigo^ “I direct;” indicative of 
sovereignty. Was named for a province of France. Is called 
“The Pine Tree State.” 

Maryland — Latin motto, Crescite et multi'plicaminiy 
“ Increase and multiply.” Name from the Queen of England, 
the wife of Charles I. 

Massachusetts —Latin motto, Euse petit placidain suh lih- 
ertate quietem^ “ By the sword she seeks placid rest in liberty,” 
or “Conquers a peace.” The name was acquired from an 
Indian tribe and the bay on her coast. Is called the “ Bay 
State ” from her numerous bays. 

Michigan —Latin motto, Tuehor, and. Si quceris peninsu- 
lam, ammnam circumspice. “I wdll defend.” “If you 
seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.” The name is 
derived from two Indian words meaning “ Great Lake,” by 
them applied to Huron and Michigan lakes. Is called “ The 
Wolverine State.” 

Minnesota— French motto ^ LEtoils du Eord, “The Star 
of the North.” The name, meaning whitish water, (foam of 
the falls,) is derived from the Indians. 

Missouri —Latin motto, Salus populi suprema lex estOy 
“Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.” Named 
from her great river. It means “ Muddy water.” 

Mississippi —Has no motto. It is named from the river, 
whose name signifies “The Father of Waters.” 

Nebraska —Motto, “ Equality before the law.” Its name 
is derived from one of its rivers, meaning “broad and shallow, 
or low.” 

New Hampshire —Has no motto. It is named from a 


MOTTOES AND NAMES OF THE STATES. 


439 


county in England. Familiar name is “The Old Granite 
State.” 

NEw JERSETT—Motto, “ Liberty and Independence.” Named 
tor the Island of Jersey on the coast of England. 

New York —Latin motto, Excelsior^ “Higher.” Named 
from the Duke of York. Is called “The Empire State.” 

North Carolina— Has no motto. It was named for Charles 
IX, King of France. It is called “The old North,” or “The 
Turpentine State.” 

Nevada —Latin motto, Volens et potens^ “Willing and 
Able.” It was named from its mountains. Spanish name 
means “ Snowy.” 

Ohio —Latin motto, Imperimn in imperio, “ An empire in 
an empire.” It took its name from the river on its south 
boundary. It is familiarly called “ The Buckeye State.” 

Oregon —Latin motto, Alis volat propriis, “ She flies with 
her own wings.” Name is derived from her principal river. 

Pennsylvania —Motto, “Yirtue, liberty and independence.” 
Named from Wm. Penn, “Penn’s woods.” Is called the 
“ Keystone State.” 

Rhode Island —Her motto is “Hope.” Named from the 
Island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean Sea. Is familiarly 
called “ Little Rhody.” 

South Carolina —Latin motto, Animis opibusque parati^ 
“Ready in will and deed.” Has the Latin name of Charles 
IX, of France (Carolus). Is known as the “Palmetto State.” 

Tennessee —Motto, “ Agriculture, Commerce.” Has the 
Indian name of one of her rivers. She is called “The Big 
Bend State.” 

Texas —Has no motto. Has preserved its Mexican name. 
Is called “The Lone Star State.” 

Vermont —Motto, “ Freedom and Unity.” Has the French 
name of her mountains ( Yerd Mont, “ Green Mountains ”V 

Virginia —Latin motto, Sic semper tyrannis, “So always 
with tyrants.” Was named from Elizabeth of England, the 
“Virgin” Queen. It is called “The Old Dominion.” 


440 


THE NATIONAL DOMAIN. 


West Virginia— Latin motto, Monta/ni semper liheri^ 
‘‘ Mountaineers are always free.” Eetained the former name, 
when divided from Virginia.” 

Wisconsin— Latin motto, Civilitas successit harharum^ 
‘‘The civilized man succeeds the barbarous.” Has the Indian 
name of one of her rivers. It is called “ The Badger State.” 


CHAPTER LXVIII. 

THE NATIONAL DOMAIN. 

1. When the War of Independence closed, and the people 
and government had leisure to look about them and estimate 
their situation, they found the organized States covering the 
coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, (then in possession of 
Spain.) There was no vacant territory near the ocean; but 
west of the States — which run back only a few hundred 
miles — was a vast region, peopled by a few tribes of Indians 
and, in Kentucky and Tennessee, by a few hundred whites 
These with singular hardihood and self reliance, had not hesi¬ 
tated to brave a thousand perils to get possession of the 
charming valleys and fertile savannahs of the eastern part of 
the great Mississippi Valley. The settlements were made 
near the mountains that skirted the western boundaries of the 
original States. Beyond, to the Mississippi river, extended as 
beautiful and fertile a territory as any land could boast; many 
times larger than the original territory, whose people, poor 
and few as they were, had fought for and won it by persistent 
bravery. It lay in virgin beauty and wealth, the prize of their 
strong hands and courageous hearts. Tlie future of the new 
government once determined, and the fundamental Law of the 
Land adopted, they prepared to take possession by organizing 
a government over those already there, surveying and laying 
off the unsettled lands, and bringing them into market for 
sale and settlement. 

2. The States had owned all the property, and held all the 



THE NATIONAL DOMAIN. 


441 


real power, up to the adoption of the present Constitution. It 
was now agreed that the unsettled lands should be considered 
as the common property of the whole country, and be admin¬ 
istered by the General Government. It was not without much 
difficulty, and many severe contests, that this point was so 
settled. There were two parties; one headed by Alexander 
Hamilton who wished a strong, consolidated central govern¬ 
ment; the other, afraid to confer on it too much power lest it 
should prove a tyrannical master, wished to preserve most of 
the substance of power in the State governments. They were 
led by Tliomas Jefferson. The adoption of the Constitution 
was difficult, and the struggle over it perilous to the confeder¬ 
ation. It embraced the main views of the first party. But 
for the personal infiuence of Washington, who had presided 
over the Convention that framed it, and had, as it were, been 
its father, it could not have received the approval of the 
majority of the people. The people allowed their fears to be 
overruled by their trust in his wisdom and prudence. 

He alone it has been believed could have put its machinery 
in successful operation; and the admirable manner in which 
the statesmen, in Congress and the executive offices, infused 
the spirit of freedom and moderation into the administration, 
following in the lead of the revered “ Father of his Country,” 
settled it in the confidence and affections of the people. 

3. We have dwelt on this point because it is intimately 
related to the organization and government of the Territories, 
and to the provision made for the increase of States. It was 
important that they should be in harmony wdth the original 
ones, and there were no means of securing this and providing 
against the futurfe growth of governments, differing from those 
of the original States, but by giving the central powder a gen¬ 
eral control over them. The Constitution conferred it on 
Congress. Ohio, and all the territory north of the Ohio river, 
was obliged to w^ait till this point was settled, before it could 
be opened to the entrance of emigrants. This region was 
early erected into a separate government, by Congress, called 


442 


THE NATIONAL DOMAIN. 


the Northwest Territory. The region south of the river was 
treated in the same manner a little later. In 1800 the Missis¬ 
sippi Territory was organized; thus covering all the ground 
originally belonging to the 'New Kepublic. These were, as 
population increased, divided into sections, of convenient size 
for the purpose of local self government, and states created as 
fast as the recpiisite number of citizens had collected within 
such limits; and the remainder continued under the prelim¬ 
inary territorial rule. 

4. In 1802, the vast region west of the Mississippi was 
bought of the French government. This extended the National 
Domain from the mouth to the head waters of this river, and 
westward, north of the Spanish possessions, to the Pacific 
ocean. Many new States and Territories have been formed 
from it. The process of multiplication has not yet ceased in 
this region. In 1819 Florida was purchased; a part of Mex¬ 
ico was obtained in 1848, and again in 1853; and the increase 
of territory continued by the acquisition of Alaska in 1867. 
This policy has become, in a manner, traditional, and it is not 
unlikely that it may be continued to some extent in the future. 

5. The government of the territories is established by act 
of Congress; the President nominates and the Senate con¬ 
firms the Governor, Secretary, and Judges of the courts; and 
Congress passes all the general laws for the government of the 
inhabitants. A Territorial Legislature is elected by the 
inhabitants, which takes chargb of all the local interests of the 
Territory. All these laws and organizations are temporary, 
and pass away when a State government is founded. Com¬ 
monly, an act of Congress authorizes the election of Delegates 
to a Convention for framing a State Constitution; though the 
Territorial Government sometimes takes the initiative. This 
constitution is then submitted to the popular vote of the citi¬ 
zens in the Territory; and if they favor it, presented to Con¬ 
gress for its approval. If it is in harmony with our usages, 
and republican principles, Congress accepts it, and, if the 
President does not see cause to veto it, a new State has come 


THE INDIVIDUAL TEKRITORIES. 


443 


into existence. In this manner tlie number of the States has 
become nearly three times as numerous as at the beirinninp’. 

CHAPTEE LXIX. 

THE IXDIYIDUAL TEEEITOEIES. 

The territories are here arranged in the order of seniority, 
the one which first received a territorial government taking 
the lead. Tlie District of Columbia is older than any of them 
as acknowledged Xational property, the Louisiana Purchase 
having been made since it was ceded to the general Govern¬ 
ment; but it was the last to receive a territorial organization, 
Congress governing it directly without giving it representation 
until 1871. It is placed last for that reason. 

XEW MEXICO 

Was visited at an early period by Spaniards, who, excited 
by the success of the followers of Cortez and Pizarro in dis¬ 
covering rich mines of gold and silver, sought the wealth in 
the dangers and hardships of travel which is more often, if 
more slowly, found as the reward of patient toil. An expe¬ 
dition from Florida made the formidable overland journey to 
Hew Mexico, in 1537; and another from Mexico, after visiting 
the Gila Eiver, passed eastward beyond the Eio Grande in 
1540. In 1581 its mineral wealth became known and a mission 
was attempted; but no settlement was made until 1600, when 
formal possession was taken by an adequate army. The mis¬ 
sions now became very successful and the mines were worked. 
Many of the natives were considerably advanced in some of 
the arts of civilization. In 1680 the natives revolted, from 
the severe servitude to which they were subjected, and drove 
the Spaniards out of the country. They only recovered it in 
1698. It was never very numerously peopled by wdiites. In 
1846 it was conquered by General Kearney, and in 1848 ceded 
to the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The 



444 


NEW MEXICO. 


difficulties of transportation and the wild and lawless char¬ 
acter of the inhabitants has prevented any extensive emigra¬ 
tion to it by Americans. It is an elevated table-land, nearly 
7,000 feet above the surface of the sea, crossed by several 
ranges of mountains sometimes rising 10,000 feet above the 
general surface of the country. The atmosphere is dry; little 
rain falls; and agriculture is usually successful only with irri¬ 
gation. In the valleys, where this is employed, the fertility 
of the soil is marvelous. Often two crops are raised, on the 
same land, in the year. Wheat and other grains are raised in 
great perfection. Cotton is successful in some parts, fruit can 
be raised in abundance, and the soil is said to be specially 
favorable to the grape, the wine rivaling that of France. 

Grold and silver abound, but the mines have never been 
effectively worked for want of transportation and the requisite 
capital. Stock raising is a profitable occupation in this Terri¬ 
tory. Much of the land unfit for cultivation produces grass 
which cures in drying during the hot months, and preserves 
all its nutricious qualities. Sheep and mules are extensively 
raised. When the Pacific railroad shall open the country to 
immigration, and order, industry, and capital make the most 
of its resources, it will be ranked among the favored parts 
of the Union. 

It has many natural curiosities, and much wild and beauti¬ 
ful scenery. The length of the Rio Grande, in its windings 
in the Territory, is about 1200 miles; and its valley from one 
to twelve miles wide. Its Territorial government was organ¬ 
ized in 1850. The population, in 1870, was 91,878. Many 
tribes of Indians roam over the territory and through Texas, 
Arizona, and northern Mexico. Most of the people are Roman 
Catholics. It includes an area of about 100,000 square miles. 
Every free white male inhabitant living in the territory at the 
time of its organization had the right of suffrage, that right 
being regulated in other respects by its legislative Assembly. 


UTAH. 


445 


UTAH 

Was formerly a part of the Mexican territory of Upper Cal¬ 
ifornia, and was acquired by the United States in 1848, by the 
treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. It was too distant, desolate, 
and dangerous a region for much settlement by Mexicans, and 
has little known history anterior to the explorations of Fre¬ 
mont between 1843 and 1846. 

The first American settlement was made by the Mormons, 
in July, 1847, and was supposed by them to be out of the ter¬ 
ritory of the United States, and beyond the reach of possible 
interference. Here, in the depths of the desert, they deter¬ 
mined to build up a peculiar religious society embracing 
customs abhorrent to the views and institutions of modern 
civilized States. Their success was a surprise to the world, and 
probably to themselves; the capacity of the depths of the 
Great American Desert, as it was called, for cultivation, 
exceeding all previous expectation. But the war with Mexico, 
then in progress, threw this, before inaccessible, desert into the 
limits of the American Union; and the discovery of gold in 
the neighboring territory of California, throwing them almost 
midway between the old western settlements and the new Eldo¬ 
rado, subjected them to contact with, and interference by, the 
tide of modern civilization, as it flowed toward the setting 
sun; and in ten years from their first appearance in the Great 
Central Basin of the continent, they came again into hostile 
conflict with the established authorities they thought to have 
finally escaped. Though their conflict with the United States 
government, imbued with the habits and prejudices with which 
they antagonized, was deferred by the troubles which precipi¬ 
tated the Civil War, and their institutions remained substan¬ 
tially intact until that was past; the Pacific Railroad was then 
built through their territory, and, if they are no longer perse¬ 
cuted, and their peculiarities opposed by deadly force, the 
moral influence and dissolving power introduce by numbers 
is more surely wasting away the foundations of their political 
and religious edifice. 


446 


WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 


Utah was organized as a territory by act of Congress Sept. 
9th, 1850. Brigham Young, the head of the Mormon church, 
became the first governor. In 1854 it was vainly attempted to 
remove him; and in 1857 an army was sent to enforce Federal 
authority. A final conflict was avoided by compromise. In 
1862 the Mormons attempted to get admission into the Union 
as a State, with their “ peculiar institutions,” but failed. A 
Territorial Government exists, but has little force, or vitality, 
while the Mormons are large in numbers. According to the 
habits of our people, conflict is avoided so far as possible, to 
await the more peaceable and natural solution of the difficulty 
by moral forces. 

Utah is unique in one respect; though lying nearly a mile 
above the surface of the sea, and having a complete system of 
lakes and rivers, there is no visible connection of these with 
the ocean. It is a continent embosomed within the depths of 
a continent. The Great Salt Lake is 100 miles long by 50 
broad, and its waters are very salt—three parts of the water 
producing one of pure salt. No fish can live in it. It receives 
the contents of many considerable streams. Whether they are 
kept in subjection by evaporation alone, or have, a concealed 
outlet to the ocean is unknown. The soil, though in its natu¬ 
ral state an apparent desert, is extremely fertile when irri¬ 
gated, and produces wheat and other cereals in great profu¬ 
sion. Its mountains are believed to be rich in silver and gold; 
but the Mormons have discouraged mining, and very little has 
been done in that direction. 

Cotton is highly successful in the southern settlements, and 
experiments with flax and silk culture have been very favora¬ 
ble. The climate is mild and healthy. 

Utah is a highly promising section of our national domain. 
Its population in 1870 was 86,786; its area about 87,500 square 
miles. 

WASHINGTON TERKITOKY 

Was organized in 1853, and then contained a much larger 
area. It was at first a part of Oregon, and its meagre early 


WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 


447 


history was the same. The Straits of San Jnan de Fuca were 
visited and named by a Spanish navigator in 1775. The Eng¬ 
lish government claimed the territory north of the Columbia 
and for some years there was a joint occupation by both nations 
by special agreement. The difficulties concerning this boun¬ 
dary came near involving the two nations in war, but it was 
settled in 1846, giving the United States the territory to the 
49th parallel of latitude. Yancouver Island was assigned to 
Great Britain. 

Washington is estimated to contain, west of the Columbia 
river, where it flows down from British America, 22,000 square 
miles of arable land. There is much that is adapted only to 
grazing, and vast quantities covered with forests in the wild 
mountain regions of the eastern part of the territory. 

It has an almost inexhaustible supply of coal, and more or 
less of the precious metals. The great distinction of Wash¬ 
ington territory is its forests. The warm ocean currents from 
the Indian ocean, after traversing the eastern coasts of Asia, 
are thrown across the i^orth Paciflc against the western shores 
of North America, and eflect an important modiflcation in the 
severity and humidity of the temperature of our Baciflc slope. 
The climate is much milder and more equable than in the 
same latitude east of the mountains, and the moisture is highly 
favorable to forest growth. It is the best ship building timber 
in the world. The trees are immense, often reaching a height 
of 300 feet with a diameter of 8 to 12 feet. 

The portion of Washington territory lying west of the Cas¬ 
cade mountains is rich farming land, heavily timbered; while 
east of the Cascades the country is open prairie, well watered, 
with small and thinly wooded valleys. The land immediately 
about Puget Sound is sandy; not valuable for farming though 
producing timber, but a little way back is unrivaled in richness. 

Corn does not thrive well, but wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., are 
very proliflc. Large quantities of butter, cheese, and wool are 
produced. There is little snow in the winter and that soon 
melts away, except far up in the mountains. Washington 


448 


COLORADO TERRITORY. 


shares with Oregon the possession and use ot the Columbia 
river. There are line fisheries on the coast and excellent oys¬ 
ters, and these produce a considerable trade. Immense quanti¬ 
ties of lumber are exported to all parts of the Pacific coast of 
both ISTorth and South America, and even to Buenos Ayres on 
the South Atlantic. The French come here for their best and 
cheapest masts and spars. Thus we see that this corner ol the 
Republic brings to the common stock ot national treasures 
some of its best and ipost valuable material of wealth, and is 
prepared to whiten the Pacific with the sails of the unlimited 
commerce which is already beginning to grow up between us 
and the Asiatics. Puget Sound can float with ease the navies 
of the world on its peaceful bosom. The JSTorthern Pacific 
railroad will originate here, probably, another great commer¬ 
cial emporium. Washington will, in due time, become a great 
and wealthy State. 

Its area is about 70,000 square miles; and the population in 
1870 was 23,901. 

COLORADO TERRITORY 

Was formed from parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Utah. Its 
Territorial government was organized by act of Congress, 
March 2nd, 1861. It is situated west of Kansas, on the great 
route from the Pacific to the Atlantic States, and on the divid¬ 
ing ridge, or backbone, of the continent. The rivers that find 
their head waters within the territory run southeast and south 
to the Gulf of Mexico, and southwest to the Gulf of California. 
The surface is nearly equally divided between a plain, gently 
descending from the abrupt mountain wall of rock constituting 
the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains, and the mighty 
mass of that chain, with its peaks, rising nearly three miles 
above the surface of the sea; now forming an elevated plateau, 
and again sending off spurs and lateral ranges containing beau¬ 
tiful valleys, or, in a more lavish and genial mood, taking a 
wide circuit inclosing an immense sunken plain containing 
hundreds of square miles of charming, well watered farming 


CHIMNEY ROCKS IN THE WEST. 




























































































































% 




9 


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I 


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COLORADO TERRITORY. 


449 


land called parks. Of these there are seven. It is a magnifi¬ 
cent region, and contains all the elements of extreme mineral 
and agricultural wealth. It has mines of gold, silver, copper, 
lead, and iron. Coal abounds in all parts, oil flows from the 
wells with a little encouragement, and salt is easily obtained 
in some parts. An immense soda-fountain is found near Col¬ 
orado City, called Fontaine qui Bouille (boiling fountain) and 
there are indications of cinnabar, platina, and precious stones. 

The climate is fine, the general temperature like Southern 
Pennsylvania or Maryland; and, from the elevation, the air is 
very dry and pure. The plain rises by imperceptible degrees 
to 5,000 feet, (about one mile,) above the level of the sea, at 
the foot of the mountains. The numerous valleys, the parks, 
and much of the sloping plain, form as fine an agricultural 
region, with proper irrigation, as any State possesses, and 
much of the remainder furnishes excellent pasturage through 
the entire year. Occasionally heavy snow falls and for a few 
days extreme cold prevails, but these are exceptional years; 
and it does not lie long. Its efiects can be guarded against 
with prudent care. Corn, wheat, and other small grains and 
vegetables reach their greatest perfection here. 

It furnishes excellent manufacturing facilities along the 
unfailing mountain streams in the valleys, and will no doubt 
ultimately unite with Montana and Southwestern Dacotah to 
supply the immense central part of our domain with all the 
products of manufacturing genius and skill. 

Denver the capital and principal city, is situated near the 
eastern base of the mountains, where these put on their 
severest and sublimest aspect. Clear lakes are set like stars, 
liere and there, and the beautiful and grand in scenery are 
nowhere more striking, or more agreeably combined. 

The Territory contains 106,475 square miles in area, and the 
population in 1870 numbered 39,706. 

Several attempts have been made to obtain the admission of 
Colorado as a State into the American Union. An act to 
enable the people to form a constitution and State Government 
29 


450 


DACOTA H. 


was passed by Congress Marcli, 1864. The constitution, 
framed under this act, was rejected by the people of the terri¬ 
tory. Another constitution was framed and adopted in 1865, 
but a bill, passed by Congress for its admission, was vetoed by 
the President. Another attempt made in 1867 likewise failed 
by the President’s veto; since which time it has quietly 
remained under its Territorial government. 

DACOTAH. 

This territory received an organization and government in 
1861. It contains 240,000 square miles; and is greater in 
extent than all Hew England together with the great and 
wealthy States of Hew York and Pennsylvania; and possesses 
some peculiar advantages. 

The Missouri Kiver passes from southeast to northwest 
diagonally through it, navigable for its whole length, a distance 
of more than a thousand miles; the Red River of the Horth 
skirts its eastern line, its valley being unrivalled for its rich¬ 
ness, and adaptation to the growth of wheat. Except the 
extreme northern part it is said to have the dry, pure, and 
healthy climate of Southern Minnesota, with the soil of Cen¬ 
tral Illinois. 

It is free from the damp, raw, and chilly weather prevailing 
in Iowa and Illinois, and from the embarrassments to agricul¬ 
ture often experienced in these States from excessive spring 
rains; while, in late spring and early summer, copious showers 
supply sufficient moisture to promote a rapid vegetable growth. 
The surface east and noi’th of the Missouri is an undulating 
prairie, free from marsh, swamp, and slough, traversed by 
many streams and dotted with innumerable lakes, of various 
sizes, whose woody and rocky shores and gravel bottoms supply 
the purest water, and lend the enchantment of extreme beauty 
to the landscape. 

It has all the conditions of climate, soil, and transportation, 
for the most profitable production of the two great staples of 
American agriculture, wheat and corn. West of the Missouri 


ARIZONA. 


451 


the country becomes more rolling, then broken and hilly, until 
the lofty chain of the Kocky Mountains is reached. These 
mountains cross the southwestern section. A most desirable 
stock raising region is furnished here, and mining will flourish 
in the mountains. In 1870 it had a population of 14,181. 
Yankton is the capital. 

AKIZONA. 

The Spaniards visited the valley of the Colorado at an early 
day; but the distance from Mexico, and the warlike character 
of the Indians, did not favor settlement beyond what was 
gathered about the few missions that were constructed so as 
to answer for fortresses. 

The part of this territory lying between Sonora, (of which it 
formed part,) and California was acquired to the United States 
by the Gadsden treaty, made with Mexico Dec. 30th, 1853. 
The American government paid $10,000,000 for it. A Terri¬ 
torial government was organized Feb. 24th, 1863, and embraced 
part of 'New Mexico, containing, altogether, an area of 121,000 
square miles, or 77,440,000 acres. 

Efforts had been made previously to settle the country and 
develop its mines; and an overland mail stage route was 
established. This j)roved a success; but the fierce hostility of 
the Apache Indians, and the desperate character of such whites 
as had gathered there, fleeing from justice in California and 
Sonora, discouraged the immigration of law-abiding citizens; 
and the breaking out of the Civil War withdrew the soldiers 
in garrison there for the protection of the country. After the 
war the main stream of emigration followed the line of the 
newly opened Pacific railroad. The development of the mines 
required capital and machinery aud, though they are thought 
to be the richest in the world, nothing could be extracted from 
them by individuals without means. So the population has 
increased slowly, the census of 1870 giving 9,658. 

It is a strange and somewhat fearful land; in great part a 
region of desolate mountains and deep canons. There are 


452 


IDAHO. 


many sections susceptible of cultivation that would jiroduce 
immense returns under irrigation, but most of the efforts in 
this direction have miscarried from the desolating ravages of 
the Indians. The rainless season reduces the whole country 
to tlie semblance of a desert. It is, however, declared to ha^'e 
more arable land in proportion to its surface than New Mexico, 
or California; and will probably, in time, have a large and 
prosperous farming community. Cotton is easily cultivated, 
and sugar cane, in the lower parts, produces abundantly. 
Grains, vegetables, and melons are produced in the greatest 
possible perfection, and mature in an incredibly short space of 
time. 

When the Apaches are subdued, and society is reduced to 
order, it will become a favorite resort of the thrifty farmers of 
the older States, and the diligent German and other foreign 
immigrants. 

It contains many traces of a race that has disappeared; some 
of their dwellings yet remaining in a partially ruinous state.- 
They were probably Aztecs, the race that ruled Mexico before 
the conquest by Cortez, or are more ancient still. Hideous 
idols are found, and various indications of a barbarous worship. 

The completion of the Southern Pacific railway will intro¬ 
duce the hum of industry among its desolate mountains and 
along its numerous fertile valleys, and the acquisition of the 
mouth of the Colorado, a large river opening into the head 
of the Gulf of California, will give it a profitable commerce. 
Arizona lies south of Utah, to which it is superior in the num¬ 
ber and size of its streams, its larger quantity of timber, and 
the amount of rain-fall in some parts, which is deemed, in 
some sections, sufficient to dispense with the necessity of irri¬ 
gation. 

IDAHO. 

This territory was organized March 3rd, 1863. It originally 
embraced a vast territory lying on both sides of the main chain 
of the Rocky Mountains; but the eastern portion has since 


MONTANA TORRITOEY. 


453 


been erected into the territory of Montana. It has about 
90,000 square miles of territory, and had, in 1870, 14,998 
inhabitants. 

Idaho has very little history prior to the organization of its 
Territorial government. Its chief attraction to settlers lies in 
its mines, as yet, and the population is floating, and, in large 
part, rough and sometimes disorderly. The difficulty of reach¬ 
ing it has prevented its rapid growth. It is exceedingly rich 
in the precious metals and this will, in time, attract a large 
population. The eastern and northern parts are very mountain¬ 
ous, abounding in wild and striking scenery and in natural 
curiosities. The soil in the southern, central, and western 
parts, is fertile, producing wheat and other small grain, and 
vegetables very successfully, but is unfavorable for corn from 
the late frosts of spring and the early cold of autumn. Snow 
falls to a great depth in the mountains; but the streams are 
numerous, and there is much choice farming land, wffiich may, 
ultimately, serve to support its mining population. 

It runs from the northern boundary of Utah to the south 
line of British America; Washington Territory and Oregon, 
lying west. When railroads shall render it accessible, and open 
the ’way for its treasures to a market, it will be filled with an 
industrious and hardy population who will find all the ele¬ 
ments of a prosperity as great as any section of the Union 
enjoys. It has three beautiful lakes—the Coeur d’Aline, the 
Pen d’Oreille, and the Boatman—of some size, and navigable 
for steamers. Boise City is the capital. 

MONTANA TEKKITOEY 

Was organized May 26th, 1864. It lies among the Eocky 
Mountains, in part on the western slope, but extending into the 
eastern valleys; and contains the sources of the streams form¬ 
ing the Missouri river; while Idaho lies west among the Blue 
mountains where the tributaries of the Columbia rise. 

Montana abounds in mines of gold and silver; and these are 
said to be much richer than those of California. The average 


454 


ALASKA TEKRITORY. 


yield of ores in the latter State is $20 per ton, but the average in 
Montana is stated to be four times that amount. Great as is 
the yield of gold mines here it is declared that the ease with 
which silver is separated from its combinations in the ore will 
make that branch of mining more profitable. Copper also 
abounds. This territory has several eminent advantages over 
other mining districts. It is reached by steamboats on the 
Missouri river, from St. Louis, without transhipment: naviga¬ 
tion being free to Ft. Benton, in the heart of Montana. The 
river voyage from St. Louis to Ft. Benton, is made in 28 days. 

There is a large and constant supply of water, a point of 
great difficulty in most of the other mining regions; and the 
country everywhere furnishes easy natural roads, the principal 
range of the Bocky Mountains not presenting the broken and 
rugged character of most other ranges. Associated with this 
point is the important fact of great agricultural capability. It 
is one of the best grazing regions west of the Mississippi. 
Small grain and fruit are grown with the greatest ease, as also 
the more important vegetables. There is abundance of timber 
for all purposes of home consumption. 

The area is stated at 153,800 square miles. The population 
in 1870 was 20,594. 

ALASKA TEBKITOKY 

Was acquired to the United States by treaty with Bussia in 
the year 1867, for $7,200,000. It is a vast region containing 
394,000 square miles, with 24,000 inhabitants. 

It was first explored by command of Peter the Great of 
Bussia in 1728. A government was first established on Kodiak 
island in 1790. In 1799 the Bussian American fur company 
was chartered by the Emperor Paul. 

The northern portion is a tolerably compact body of mainly 
level country about 600 miles square, and a line of coast runs 
south for a long distance, including many islands. The Aleu¬ 
tian group of islands is included. The principal value of the 
region to Bussia was the fur trade. The annual export of these 


WYOMING TERRITORY. 


455 


amounted to only a few hundred thousand dollars. American 
thrift will probably make much more of it. 

The Country is much warmer than its high latitude would 
seem to impljr—Sitka in the southern part having about the 
same mean temperature, by the thermometer, as Washington! 
It is, liowever, extremely damp. In one year there were counted 
only 66 entire days without rain or snow. The coast is broken 
with mountains. The peninsula of Alaska has some very high 
mountains—Mt. St. Elias and Mt. Fairweather being esti¬ 
mated at 15,000 to 18,000 feet above the sea. The islands of 
the Aleutian group are volcanic in origin. There are several 
rivers, the largest, the Yukon, or Kwickpak being 2,000 miles 
long, and navigable for 1,500 miles. There are vast supplies 
ot timber, much being pine, found nowhere else on the Pacific 
coast. Yegetables, and some grains, may be raised without 
difficulty, and the soil, in parts, is rich. Abundant supplies 
of coal are believed to exist. The precious metals and iron, it 
is thought, are to be found there, but the country has been very 
imperfectly explored. 

In the lively and extensive trade that is likely to grow up 
with Japan, China, and the East Indies, it will no doubt be 
found of great value, and its resources contribute to the wealth 
of our country. 

WYOMING TEEKITOEY 

Was organized by act of Congress July 25th, 1868, and is 
the youngest of the territories. Its area is stated at 100,500 
square miles, and it had a population, in 1870, of 9,118. 

The Pacific railroad passes through it, to which its settle¬ 
ment is probably mainly due. Montana lies on the north; 
Dacotah and Nebraska on the east; Colorado and Utah on the 
south, with the northern part of Utah and Idaho on the west. 

The main chain of the Eocky Mountains crosses it from 
northwest to southeast which maintain here the same general 
characteristic as in Montana, viz.: that of a rolling upland. 
Its outlying ranges are more broken. Most of the country is 


456 


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 


good arable, or grazing land, sufficiently fertile to give excel¬ 
lent returns for labor, though, in large part, requiring irriga¬ 
tion. A few regions are remarkably sterile, but thej' are 
limited in comparison with the fertile lands. 

Gold mining has been successful, to a considerable extent; 
coal is extremely abundant and accessible; the supplies for the 
Pacific railroad being obtained in this territory. Iron has been 
found in considerable quantities, together with lead and copper 
ores. Oil and salt springs promise to be productive. 

Thus without, as yet, developing any eminent specialty, the 
resources of this Territory seem to promise all the requisites 
of prosperity to a large population; while the climate is mild 
and extremely healthy, and the great thoroughfare between the 
east and the west furnishes all necessary facilities for transport¬ 
ing its supplies to the best markets. More intimate knowledge 
of its mineral deposits may perhaps give it a higher rank as a 
mining State. 

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 

The first Congress convened under the new Constitution in 
1789, held its session in Hew York. The seat of government 
was then removed to Philadelphia. There was much dissen¬ 
sion as to where it should be permanently located. The Horth 
and the South, were each equally obstinate in their desire to 
locate it in their own section, and the quarrel threatened a 
rupture of the confederacy. The great political question of the 
time was the debts of the States contracted in carrying on the 
War of Independence. The South, disliking a strong cen¬ 
tral government, opposed giving the charge of the finances 
of the country into its hands; while the Horth, strongly 
approved the plan of clothing it with authority to concentrate 
the strength of the nation to a reasonable extent, so that it 
might be able to act with vigor, and make the country for¬ 
midable to its enemies. The reservation of as much power as 
possible to the individual States was a vital question with the 
South, since it wished to maintain Slavery, and it was always 


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ANNEXATION POLICY. 


45T 


foreseen that the north must preponderate, ultimately, in the 
general government; and the north was unfriendly to slavery. 
The Constitution could make its way in the South only by 
compromise as to slavery. 

The question was a very difficult and delicate one to adjust, 
but with much tact Jefferson and Hamilton, usually antago¬ 
nists in politics, united to urge a compromise; the Horth 
conceding the location of the national capital, and the South 
the assumption, by the general government, of the State debts. 
This was accomplished in 1790, and Washington selected the 
site on his own Potomac, Virginia and Maryland uniting to 
give a tract ten miles square extending to both sides of the 
river. A new city was laid out, and buildings erected which 
were occupied for the first time in 1800. This small territory, 
the government and control of which was lodged wholly in 
Congress, was called ‘‘ Columbia.” This possession of its own 
capital was considered important in order to avoid a possible 
conflict of Federal and State authority. 

Tlie capital city was located on the Maryland side, and 
called Washington. Tlie territory on the Virginia side, was, 
in 1846, re-ceded to Virginia. On Feb. 21st, 1871, the District 
was made a territory, Avith a legislature for its internal gov¬ 
ernment, and the right to be represented by one member in 
the House of Hepresentatives. 

The population in 1870 was 131,706. Washington is 
adorned with many immense buildings erected for the various 
departments of the government, and the capitol itself is one 
of the largest in the world, and cost $5,000,000. It is worthy 
of the great nation represented in its halls. 


CHAPTER LXX. 

THE ANXEXATIOX POLICY. 

1. The original States of the American Union were all on 
the Atlantic seaboard. The central States were separated from 



458 


ANNEXATION POLICY. 


the fertile valleys and plains of the Mississippi and its tribu¬ 
taries by mountains, while those lying at the northern and 
southern extreme found, in the vast forests filled with fierce 
and hostile savages, a still greater barrier against settlement 
westward. The “ Old Thirteen ” found their hands and thoughts 
sufficiently occupied with the establishment of their liberties, 
and the ultimate western boundaries of the country were left 
to be settled in future years. Fortunately for us England was 
too much occupied with the immense debt the useless Amer¬ 
ican war had cost her to make difficulties over the cession 
of the western regions to us ; and, at the peace, we were in 
possession of the whole region from the Atlantic ocean to the 
Mississippi river. That was enough and more for the present; 
but the people were enterprising. We offered a home, freedom,, 
and great opportunities to the oppressed and poor of other 
lands, and that region was soon sufficiently peopled to show 
what other regions were required to secure the prosperity 
of all. 

2. It soon became clear that the development of the West¬ 
ern States east of the Mississippi required the possession of the 
lower part of the river and the territory on its w^estern bank. 
Circumstances were favorable to its acquisition, and Louisiana, 
extending from the mouth of the river far up toward its head 
waters, including several hundred thousand square miles of as 
valuable land as was to be found on the continent, was pur¬ 
chased. It entered into the vindictive policy of ilapoleon 
Bonaparte to injure England by strengthening America, and it 
was obtained for the comparatively insignificant sum of fifteen 
million dollars. This annexation was altogether essential to 
the security and development of the larger part of the original 
territory. 

3. Florida was discovered and settled by the Spaniards, who 
claimed the coast along the Gulf of Mexico to the Mississippi 
river. Though it was not commercially or agriculturally 
important to us, it became in the hands of a power not very 
friendly, the support and refuge of the barbarous and resolutely 


ANNEXATION POLICT. 


459 


hostile Indians of oiir southern border. It was necessary to 
nearly exterminate them to obtain peace, but no absolute secu¬ 
rity could be assured while the Spanish territory protected them 
in their retreat before our armies. Peace, security against the 
Indians, and freedom from the intermeddling of a European 
Power required the acquisition of that peninsula and the Gulf 
Coast. After twenty years of occasional negotiation it was 
purchased for five millions of dollars. This was the most con¬ 
venient way, also, of settling an account for spoliations on our 
commerce which we held against Spain, and the only means 
she then possessed of making payment. Thus another annexa¬ 
tion was made under the pressure of circumstances. 

4. By this time a sufficient degree of expansion and strength 
had been acquired by the New Nation to inspire in it great 
confidence in itself and grand views of its future, and the 
‘‘Monroe Doctrine,” that the United States would refrain from 
all meddling with the politics of Europe, but would resolutely 
oppose the meddling of any European power with the politics 
of this continent, was adopted. This doctrine did not projDose 
any interference with other governments already established 
here, but America was to be left to its present possessors, and 
European ambition was to look elsewhere for kingdoms to 
conquer or found. A tacit protectorate over all America was 
assumed, in order to prevent the entrance of any other element 
that might build up a system hostile to our interests and pro¬ 
gress. It was a legitimate conclusion from the principles and 
necessities that had led to the inauguration of the annexation 
policy. The nation claimed that it had a right to keep the 
ground clear from obstacles to its natural development. It 
was a system of growth and protection involving no ideas of 
conquest by force, and no menace to governments already 
established. 

5. The third addition to our territorial area took ])lace 
under circumstances which all true Americans will ever regret. 
If stated by our enemies it w^ould be said that, after encourag¬ 
ing the settlement of the territory of a neighbor by our own 


460 


ANNEXATION POLICY. 


citizens, and giving them covert support in withdrawing that 
territory from its proper owners, we took- possession ot it, and 
when they naturally undertook to protect, or recover it, we 
made a war of invasion on them, employed our superior skill 
and vigor to disarm their State, and took as much more of their 
territory as suited our purposes ; in short, that we picked a 
quarrel, and being the strongest bound and robbed them. 

6. It cannot be agreeable to lovers of justice and defenders 
of equal rights, that there should be so much of truth in this 
statement as to render it impossible to clearly and distinctly 
prove tlie contrary. There was, however, an element of the 
necessary and unavoidable, even in this, that was more in har¬ 
mony with the previous system of acquisition than appeared 
on the surface. Texas presented, perhaps, the finest climate 
and the greatest facilities for money-making on the continent. 
The Mexicans inherited the religion and hatred of protestants 
with the haughty, repelling spirit of the Spaniards, and wished 
to preserve the old Spanish policy of separating themselves 
from us by a broad barrier of desert and wilderness. They did 
not wish to settle Texas themselves, nor feel willing that any 
one else should. It is inevitable that enterprise and strength, 
impelled by self-interest, will disregard such wishes. Ameri¬ 
cans are neither perfect nor magnanimous enough to stand on 
ceremony when their interests are concerned. The best that 
can be said of them is that they are more moderate and self- 
contained than any other people. The necessities of the insti¬ 
tution of slavery required more territory to balance the rapid 
increase of free States, and this precipitated the movement 
that was inevitable sooner or later from other causes. Indeed 
the first patent of territory obtained in Texas, from the Mexi¬ 
can government, was by a native of Connecticut. The rapid 
growth of commerce in the Pacific ocean, the agreeable climate 
and fertile soil of California, and the unsettled, wilderness state 
of that region, caused the commercial nations of Europe to 
look at it with longing eyes. The Monroe doctrine was in 
danger of being violated. England had fully prepared to plant 


ANNEXATION POLICY. 


m 


a colony there when it was taken possession of by the Ameri¬ 
can forces. 

7. Thus the enterprise and energy of the nation, which had 
still further developed its instinct, or anticipations and plans, 
of future greatness, required to use the vast resources of the 
Gulf region, and to extend settlements to the Pacific Slope in 
order to develop the mineral resources of that region and pre¬ 
pare to build up its commerce with Eastern Asia. The north¬ 
ern parts of Mexico were useless to her, since she had neither 
population to occupy them, nor strength to subdue the Indians 
who roamed over them in scattered bands. There is a justice 
and propriety which has the force of Natural Law in allowing 
the active and vigorous to take possession of the natural 
resources that others can not or will not develop. The earth 
was made for mankind as a whole, and what cannot benefit one 
race, another, that is able to employ it for its own and the 
general good, has some show of right in entering upon. That, 
at least, must be the justification of our ancestors in intruding 
themselves upon the lands and hunting grounds of the aborigi¬ 
nal inhabitants of America, and our only excuse for making 
war with the Indians, forcing them to part with their lands, 
confining them to reservations, and denying to King Philip, 
Powhattan, and Tecumseh the admiration and esteem we give 
to the patriotic defenders of our native land and natural rights. 

8. It is to be regretted that the vast and valuable territory 
acquired from Mexico should be the spoil of conquest rather 
than the fruit of peaceful negotiation; but the eagerness of the 
speculator, the unreasonable pride and selfishness of the Mexi¬ 
can, and the peculiar requirements of our internal conflict over 
slavery put to silence, for a time, the voice of moderation and 
equity, and we annexed near 1,000,000 square miles of territory 
by force. The payment of $18,500,000, when we might have 
taken it without, was an indication that our ordinary sense of 
justice was not altogether quenched. 

9. We may reasonably consider that this was exceptional, 
and that the confusion of judgment and the disorder consequent 
on the life and death struggle of the institution of slavery, 


462 


ANNEXATION POLICY. 


which were in a few years to produce the most terrible civil 
war known to history, led us into the comparatively moderate 
affffression and violence tliat marked this annexation to our 
territorial area. Our traditional policy is to acquire peaceably, 
and with a satisfactory remuneration, such territory as the 
national progress and development demand. It is contrary to 
the spirit of our institutions to oblige the majority of the 
inhabitants of any region not within our boundaries to form a 
part of the Eepublic. 

10. Two annexations have been made since the Mexican 
war. Arizona was obtained by treaty and purchase from Mex¬ 
ico, in 1854, and Alaska by treaty and purchase from Kussia, 
in 1867. The first is valuable for its mineral treasures. It 
was useless to Mexico, though we gave $10,000,000 for it. It 
will ultimately be worth to us hundreds of millions, and its 
ruins of an ancient people will be replaced by a thriving popu¬ 
lation of intelligent freemen. Alaska is specially valuable in 
relation to our future commerce with Asia, and for its fisheries 
and fur trade. Its internal resources are, as yet, scarcely known. 

11. The superior stability of American institutions and 
the love of law and order of the American people may make 
annexation desirable and profitable to the more volatile and 
unsteady Southern States of America, but it is probable that 
no labored efforts to induce annexation will be tolerated by the 
mass of the people. We may fairly judge that we have reached 
our natural boundaries; that the advancement of neighboring 
governments in order and intelligence will suffice to give pro¬ 
tection to the comparatively small numbers who may find a 
better field for their energies without than within the Union; 
and that if any future annexations are made it will be by the 
purchase of uninhabited regions that may be more valuable to 
us than to their owners; or that, if any inhabited regions are 
incorporated into the Union, it will be at the instance and 
desire of its own inhabitants rather than of our people. We 
are the special champions of popular and all other rights, and 
shall never be likely to forget ourselves again so far as to repeat 
the Mexican war, however pressing our desires. 


Population of the United States and Territories from 1790 to 1870 . 


CHAPTEE LXXI. 
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Population of the United States and Territories from 1790 to 1870.—(Continued.) 


464 


CENSUS STATISTICS. 


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PART THIRD. 


THE PEOPLE AXD THE GOYEPHMEHT. 


1. All government is professedly for the good of the people; 
but in point of fact, nearly every government that has ever 
been instituted has been in the interest of an individual, a 
family, or a class. American statesmen, in forming our gov¬ 
ernment, admitted the superior rights of no man or class of 
men. It was carefully organized to exclude all claims or pre¬ 
tenses of that kind, with a single exception, at first, which 
afterward disappeared in the tempest of a civil war. The exe¬ 
cutive, the various members of the government, and the law 
makers depend on the people for their elevation. At first they 
possessed only the dignity, privileges, and rights of the people 
at large, and, their term of office expired, they return to the 
same level, honored, indeed, if they have been faithful servants; 
if not, carrying to their dishonored graves the reproaches and 
contempt of their fellow-citizens, but retaining, in neither case, 
a vestige of the power and exaltation over others that clothed 
them when in office, the contrary of which so often makes an 
unworthy man respectable in a different form of government. 

2. That the masses of the people would be able to exercise 
a true sovereignty without abusing it was always doubted until 
the trial was made in this country. A very respectable class 
of statesmen in the early days of the Pepublic, sympathized in 

30 (465) 




466 


THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT. 


tliis doubt, and it even crept into the Constitution in the form 
of electors who were to choose the President; intimating a dis¬ 
trust of the wisdom and sound discretion of the voters in the 
choice of the Chief Magistrate. The liberty allowed to the 
Legislatures of the States to determine the manner in which 
electors should be chosen, while it recognized State authority 
on one side, on the other implied a hesitation to trust so 
important a matter directly to the people; and for a long time 
they were only indirectly consulted as to the choice of a 
President. 

3. It was not, however, caused by a desire to keep power 
from them, but rather to avoid the unhappy effect of popular 
heat and rashness, so often observed in poi^ular governments 
before attempted. This distrustful party first took control of 
the government, retained it during three presidential terms, and 
for many years afterwards formed an inffuential minority whose 
criticisms were of importance in establishing a traditional 
policy for the government. This party—the Federalists, headed 
by Washington and Hamilton—sought to found a strong and 
stable government that should be able to fully protect the 
country from foreign interference and domestic discord. Their 
control over the administration was somewhat abruptly closed 
by acts considered arbitrary, interfering with full freedom of 
speech and of the press—the “ Sedition Laws ” as they were 
called. Jefferson and the Kepublican party demanded the 
largest popular freedom, and had the conduct of the govern¬ 
ment for twenty-four years, impressing on its habits and policy 
the respect for the opinions of the people at large that has ever 
since characterized it. The people gradually gained control of 
presidential elections and practically set the electors aside, 
making and enforcing their own choice in general elections. 

4. The exercise of popular sovereignty has gradually been 
enlarged, no qualification but that of age and nativity being 
now generally required, and the government may fairly be con¬ 
sidered to represent the views of a majority of the people, and 
not only of the native, but also of the foreign born; since the 


THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT. 


467 


great mass of the latter are, by naturalization, absorbed into 
the mass of citizens. Tliey come to make a permanent home 
with us, from a preference, as it is fair to assume, for republi¬ 
can institutions; and it is considered right that they should 
have a voice in the conduct of them. Nor have the American 
people seen cause to regret their liberality in this respect. 
Citizens of foreign birth have usually proved as thoughtful 
and wise as the rest of the population, and as worthy of citi¬ 
zenship. They bring to us wealtli in their labor if not in their 
purses, and soon become thoroughly American in their habits 
and sympathies. The government and the people cordially 
welcome them, and find themselves the stronger and richer by 
so doing. 

5. It must not be forgotten that the strongest fears of pop¬ 
ular influence on the government, the stability of our institu¬ 
tions, and the maintenance of the good order necessary to the 
security of property and the general prosperity, were enter¬ 
tained at the first; that the prophecies of the foreseers of evil 
have been almost uniformly false during its whole course; and 
that the relation between the people and the general govern¬ 
ment has constantly grown closer, to the great advantage of 
both. The first war into which the country was plunged after 
the Revolution—that of 1812—was comparatively a failure, in 
its earlier part, for want of this mutual confidence. Later the 
people and the government have been more closely allied, and 
the government has been strong while the people have seen 
their cherished ends gained. 

There has been continual advance in liberality of administra¬ 
tion, in efficiency of organization, and in the completeness of 
social order. We have no reason to suppose that a tendency, 
continued through a hundred years and favored by so many 
circumstances that are common to all nations in our generation 
to a degree never before known, will be changed. Rather we 
may confidently expect that with increased intelligence, expe^ 
rience, and prosperity that tendency will be strengthened. 


CHAPTEK I. 

SUFFRAGE AND CITIZENSHIP. 

1. The right pertaining to citizenship, to vote for siuh 
officers as are elected by the people, is called suffrage. When 
that right is acquired with respect to one class of officers it 
always extends to the whole, from petty town or city officials, 
to high officers of the State and United States government— 
all, in short, who obtain office directly from the j)eople. 

2. The Constitution defines who shall be regarded as citi¬ 
zens of the United States, and all such are declared by it to be 
also citizens of the State in which they reside. It declares 

all persons, born, or naturalized in the United States, and 
subject to its jurisdiction ” to be citizens. Indian tribes are 
mostly regarded as foreign nations, and have such rights as 
treaties give them, but are not taxed and do not vote; there¬ 
fore they are not regarded as citizens. 

3. Yet suffrage does not belong to all citizens. The special 
regulation of the voting prerogative was not assumed by the 
Constitution, nor delegated to Congress, and it is generally 
conceded that it belongs to the State governments. The regu¬ 
lations in the States are not uniform, but in no State do women 
or minors vote. This cuts off a large part of the citizens, 
nearly three-fourths belonging to these classes. Minors are 
supposed, however, to be represented, as to their interests, by 
their guardians, and females by husbands or brothers. Some 
of the States make minor restrictions as to length of residence 
in the State, and require a certain amount of property to con¬ 
stitute a voter, and in some naturalization is not required—so 
that the range of the right of suffrage varies within small 
limits, in different States. Whatever rule is adopted by the 
States has been accepted as the basis of suffrage for that State 
by the general government, when members of Congress and 
President and Vice-President are voted for. 

4. It seems to be a loose point in the regulations, otherwise 
so admirable, since it may work a considerable inequality 

( 468 ) 


SUFFRAGE AND CITIZENSHIP. 


469 


under given circumstances; and, in some cases, might change 
the policy of the government. It is a question worthy of con¬ 
sideration whether there should not be an amendment to the 
Constitution establishing uniformity of suffrage in all the 
States. Tills point has caused much discussion in the State 
governments and various changes have been, from time to 
time, made in many of them. These have been, usually, in 
the direction of liberality—tending to enlarge the scope of 
suffrage. The property qualification, quite common in earlier 
times, is now rare. Tlie fifteenth amendment, recently adopted, 
has largely increased the number of voters. 

5. The experience of the Republic, thus far, has been in 
favor of the doctrine that it is safe to trust the people with 
their own interests, and that the responsibilities of self-gov¬ 
ernment, when they are laid on them under the favorable 
-circumstances that exist among us, tend to improvement 
instead of disorganization. Whether this will always be the 
ease it may not be safe to assume, and a prudent regard to pos- 
■sibilities should not be neglected; but we should not forget 
that those who founded American liberty ran great risks of 
unarchy in the eyes of their contemporaries. We ought to be 
able safely to continue a policy-of suffrage which they intro¬ 
duced with results so fortunate. 

6. Education needs to be encouraged, and this has always 
received much attention. It is probable that but for the very 
liberal provision made in this respect, the fate of our govern¬ 
ment would have been very different. Many foreigners who 
had no early education, have been naturalized, and the colored 
people born in the country have been made citizens. If the 
remainder of the people had not been intelligent, it would no 
doubt have been extremely dangerous. It has led to some 
serious local interruptions of order and prosperity, but they 
have been, so far, temporary; and the general effect has been 
to awaken ambition for education; the children of new-made 
citizens have enjoyed the same facilities as others to acquire 
intelligence necessary to a citizen; and the right of suffrage. 


470 


ODE CITIZENS OF FOREION BIRTH. 


when extended to the ignorant and degraded has seemed to pro¬ 
duce the general effect of destroying a dangerous class by 
raising them gradually to intelligence and self-respect and 
respect for the laws, by making them the political equals of 
those who are socially and intellectually far above tliem. 

7. As we 2 “row in numbers all influences like this take a 
wider range, and acquire more power, and sometimes produce 
different results, when they become extensive, from what w^as 
the case when more limited, from the difference of influence in 
modifying causes; and there has always been fear of trouble 
from the extension of suffrage to too many ignorant persons. 
It is well to be cautious; but we ought to venture as far as 
possible for the sake of improving and elevating all classes of 
our people. 

8. It is also a question worthy of attention if women who 
own property that is taxed ought not to possess the right of 
suffrage. The war that made us a I^ation was begun because 
we refused to be taxed unless we could be represented, and have 
a vote in the body laying the taxes. The principle appears to 
be precisely the same; and what we fought for then should not 
be denied now. 


CHAPTEE II. 

CUE CITIZENS OF FOEEIGN BIETH. 

Whatever fault we may sometimes find with the conduct of 
our government; however much self-seeking to the neglect of 
the public good there may be among officials; however many 
weaknesses, errors, and violations of law may call for our 
severest reprobation, and, in moments of depression, lead us to 
look gloomily and doubtfully toward the future; yet it is not 
to be denied that the Home of real Freedom is with us. Mis¬ 
management is but temporary, or limited, and easily admits of 
remedy, with time and care; our advantages are permanent and 



CUE CITIZENS OF FOKEIGN BIETH. 


471 


extensive. In eighty years the population has become nearly 
twelve times as numerous as at the beginning of that period, 
and this rapid growth in numbers has been made up largely 
from the disposition of foreigners to make a permanent home 
among us. Those who are oppressed, who suffer restraint in 
their interests or belief, or wish for a wider career for them¬ 
selves or their families — who want a free field for business 
enterprise, for mental and moral development, or full play for 
their abilities to influence their fellow men, come to us. Here 
they find fair opportunity for what may be lacking elsewhere. 
They come here by millions ; the poor, by industry, become 
rich ; the oppressed leave persecutions and galling burdens 
behind them ; and genius finds full play for its aspirations in 
whatever direction its energies may be turned. 

At the time of the last Census there were 5,566,546 persons 
in the Union, and forming part of our population, of foreign 
birth. A large part of these have become citizens by Natural¬ 
ization. The remainder, or their descendants, if they remain 
here, will become citizens by that process, or by lapse of time. 

After they have become familiar with our institution, ideas, 
and habits, they are incorporated with the body of our citizens 
and are a part of the Nation. The naturalized citizen may 
become, in time, a State officer, or member of Congress, if he 
can make himself acceptable to his fellow citizens ; or he may 
possibly live to see his son President of the United States. 

Congress alone has power, under the Constitution, to enact 
naturalization laws. Suffrage, or the right of voting, is left to 
the regulation of the States, within certain limits ; but every 
citizen, made such by law of the General Government, is also 
a citizen of the State in which he resides, and will acquire, 
within such times as State regulations shall determine, the right 
to vote. 

State laws regarding suffrage vary. Some States even admit 
aliens who are not citizens of the United States to the right 
of suffrage and to other privileges; and most require any citi¬ 
zen to reside a prescribed length of time in the State before he 


472 


HOW TO BECOME A CITIZEN. 


can vote. A uniform regulation in all the States would be 
desirable. 

HOW TO BECOME A CITIZEN. 

Any alien, having arrived in the United States after the age 
of eighteen years, may be admitted to the rights of citizenship, 
after a declaration, upon his part, or oath or affirmation, before 
the Supreme, Superior, District, or Circuit Court of, or any 
court of record having common law jurisdiction in, any of the 
United States, or of the territories thereto belonging, or before 
a Circuit or District Court of the United States, or the Clerk 
or Prothonotary of any of the aforesaid courts, two years at 
least before his admission, that it is his hona intention to 
become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever 
all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate. State 
or sovereignty whatever, and particularly by name, the prince, 
potentate. State, or sovereignty, whereof such alien may at any 
time have been a citizen or subject; if such alien has borne any 
hereditary title, or been of any of the orders of nobility in the 
kingdom or State from which he came, he must, moreover, 
expressly renounce his title or order of nobility, in the court in 
which his application is made, which renunciation is to be 
recorded in such county; and the court admitting such alien 
must also be satisfied that he has continuously resided in the 
United States for five years, at least, immediately preceding his 
naturalization, and also within the State or Territory wherein 
such court is at the time held, at least one year immediately 
previous to such naturalization; and that during such five years 
he has been of good moral character, attached to the principles 
of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to 
the good order and happiness of the same; the oath of at least 
two citizens of the United States is requisite to prove the fact 
of such residence ; and, at the time of his application to be 
admitted to citizenship, he must make, upon oath or affirma¬ 
tion, the same declaration of renunciation and abjuration of 
allegiance to any foreign power, and also make oath or affirma¬ 
tion to support the Constitution of the United States; all of 


ELECTIONS. 


478 


which proceedings are to be recorded by the Clerk or Froth on- 
otary of the proper court. 

If any alien, having legally filed his declaration of intention 
to become a citizen and taken the necessary oath or affirmation, 
die before he is actually naturalized, his widow and children 
are entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizens, upon 
taking the required oaths or affirmations. 

Any alien arriving in the United States under the age of 
eighteen years, and continuously residing therein until the time 
of his application for citizenship, may, after reaching the age 
of twenty-one years, and having been a resident within the 
United States for five years, including the three years of his 
minority, be admitted a citizen, without making the formal 
declaration of intention required in other cases; but at the time 
of his admission he must make such declaration, and further 
satisfy the court, upon oath or affirmation, that, for the three 
years immediately preceding, it had been his hona fide inten¬ 
tion to become such citizen, and in all other respects must 
comply with the naturalization laws of the United States. 

Severe penalties for counterfeiting any evidence of citizen¬ 
ship, or disposing of a certificate of naturalization to any per¬ 
son other than the one for whom it was issued, are imposed by 
act of Congress. 


CHAPTEE III. 

ELECTIONS. 

1. A pure democracy is a government in which all the peo¬ 
ple who have the proper qualifications for voting personally 
take part—or have the right to do so—in the discussion of 
public measures, and enactment of the laws. This is not prac¬ 
ticable unless the State consist of a small number of persons; 
and a representative democracy is substituted, in which the 
masses of the people exercise the voting and ruling preroga- 



474 


ELECTIONS. 


tive by appointing a small number of substitutes to act in their 
place and represent them. This appointment of representa¬ 
tives is for the most part the only direct way in which the 
people of this country are able to take part in the government. 
Though the theory is that the people alone are sovereign, this 
is the only way in which sovereignty can exert itself. Even 
if present in a legislative assembly, they cannot discuss or vote 
unless they are Representatives, duly elected. 

2. Elections, then, are of the highest importance. If a cit¬ 
izen would exert his sovereign authority, as one of the deposi¬ 
taries of power, he must take part in them. Representatives 
elected to make laws are expected to express the will of the 
majority of the people whom they represent. They are pledged, 
expressly or tacitly, to do so. If they disobey the will of their 
constituents, there is no immediate redress. They can be dis¬ 
placed only at the close of the term for which they were-elected. 
There is some inconvenience and danger attending this method; 
though the fear of the displeasure of their constituents is 
usually sufficient to secure faithfulness. Where the people are 
numerous, (there are now more than 135,000 persons to each 
representative,) it becomes a matter of much interest to know 
what is their will. It is ascertained by the elections. The 
people vote for a candidate, or nominee, known to hold certain 
political principles. As men do not often see or think alike 
there is generally more than one principle, or system of views, 
regarding public measures, involved in every election, and 
theretore more than one candidate. The result of the vote 
shows the will of the majority. The same question generally 
occupies the attention of the whole country, and the elections 
to Congress determine the policy of the government, so far as 
legislation is concerned. 

3. The same remarks apply to the election of the President 
and the members of the State governments. The choice of 
men for the State legislatures determines the policy and politi¬ 
cal principles of the State government, and as the majority in 
State legislatures appoint the Senators, the character of Con- 


RATIO OF REPRESENTATION. 


475 


gross and its measures are influenced by State elections. The 
choice of the President is not, in theory, made directly, since 
Electors are chosen, who afterwards vote for the President; 
but it is understood that they will vote for a certain man; and 
it has been so invariably their custom to do so, that the result 
is considered as settled by the direct vote of the people. 
Should the Electors do otherwise the people would be very 
much surprised and displeased, and those Electors would have 
little prospect of appointment to office again. Yery few men 
in office are willing to seriously offend their constituents, so 
that practically, the people vote directly for the President and 
Vice-President they prefer. 

4. Of all our elections none is considered of so much impor¬ 
tance as the Presidential. These come every four years, 
because the Constitution provides that the term for which a 
President is chosen, shall be four years. Our elections, both 
for the general and State governments, are by ballot, instead 
of m^a voce^ (the living voice,) as in some countries. 

The ballot is a small piece of paper, with the name of the 
candidate or candidates printed or written upon it, and then 
folded in such a manner as to hide them, so that no one but 
the voter can tell what names are on his ballot. A vote by 
viva voce, is when the voter, in the presence of the inspectors 
of the election, audibly and clearly calls out the name of the 
candidate for whom he votes, and thus proclaims in the hearing 
of all present how he votes. But the ballot enables the yoter 
to vote secretly if he chooses to do so. 


CHAPTEK lY. 

KATIO OF KEPKESEATATI0^7. 

1. The ratio of representation simply means the ratio 
between the whole population of the United States, and the 
whole number of their Kepresentatives in Congress; and this 
of course includes the ratio between the people of any individ- 



476 


KATIO OF EEPRESENTATION. 


ual State, and the Eepresentatives it is entitled to; both being 
estimated upon the same basis, and determined by the same 
rule. 

2. The distinctive characteristic of our government is, that 
it is 2 i popular government. Its power is vested in the people. 
They elect their rulers, who are the servants of the people, and 
these rulers are expected to carry out the people’s wdshes. 
Upon such a system, it is a matter of the first importance, to 
distribute this power equally among all the people, and after 
having fixed upon the ratio between the whole population and 
the whole number of Representatives; or, in other words, after 
having determined how many members shall compose. the 
lower. House of Congress, the next step is to apportion these 
members among all the States in the ratio of their population. 
If one State has twice the nnmber of inhabitants that another 
has, it will be entitled to twice the number of Representatives 
in Congress. If one has ten times the inhabitants that another 
has, it will be entitled to ten times the number of Repi*esenta- 
tives, and so on; with this one exception, which is, that by a 
provision in the Constitution, every State, without regard to 
its population, is entitled to one Representative in the lower 
House. 

3. The adjustment of this matter is all provided for in the 
Constitution, that is, in its general features; but it devolves 
upon Congress in every tenth year to re-adjust and re-appor- 
tion the Representatives among the several States, according 
to the population of each State as shown by the last census, 
which is taken every tenth year; and when the apportionment 
is once made, it remains the same for the next ten years, when 
the census is taken again, and a new apportionment is made. 

4. Up to the present time (1874,) this has been done nine 
times. It was done the first time by the convention which 
formed the Constitution. That apportionment is found in the 
Constitution, and is as follows: 

To Hew Hampshire, 3 Pennsylvania, 8 

Massachusetts, 8 Delaware, 1 


KATIO OF REPRESENTATION. 


477 


Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, 
New York, 
New Jersey, 


1 Maryland, 6 

5 Virginia, 10 

6 North Carolina, 5 

4 South Carolina, 5 


Georgia, 3 

By this it will be seen that the first Congress consisted of 
but 65 members. 

The Constitution also provided that Representatives should 
not exceed one to every 30,000 people. The next year after the 
government went into operation, (1790,) the first census was 
taken, and as soon as the result was known, a new apportion¬ 
ment was made. This was done in 1792, and was made upon 
the ratio of one Representative to every 33,000 of representa¬ 
tive* population. 

5. In 1800, the second census was taken; and when Con¬ 
gress made the apportionment, which was done in 1803, it did 
not change the ratio, but left it at one Representative to every 
33,000 of the representative population. 

In 1810, the third census was taken, and in 1811 the ratio 
was fixed at one Representative for every 35,000 of the popu¬ 
lation. 

In 1820, the fourth census was taken, and in 1822 Congress 
fixed the ratio at one Representative for every 47,000 of the 
population. 

In 1830, the fifth census was taken, and in 1832 the ratio 
was fixed at one Representative to every 47,000 of the popula¬ 
tion. 

In 1840, the sixth census was taken, and in 1842 Congress 
again declared that the ratio should be one Representative to 
every 70,000 of the population. 

6. In 1850, the seventh census was taken, and in conform¬ 
ity with the law passed this year, the number of members was 


* The Representative population includes all free persons, white or black; 
to which (according to the provisions of the Constitution), three-fifths of all 
the slaves were to be added. But this proviso, now that slavery is abol¬ 
ished, has become a nullity. 


478 


RATIO OF REPRESENTATION. 


for the first time limited; the limit being 233; and the Secre¬ 
tary of the Interior was ordered to take tlie census returns, and 
di\dde the whole representative population by the number 233, 
and to make the quotient the ratio between the Representatives 
and the people. 

7. We have never seen the result of the Secretary’s esti¬ 
mate, but^ taking the population of 1850 and dividing it by 
233, would produce a quotient of nearly 94,000; and this we 
take as the ratio, after the time when it was done, 1852; that 
is, one Representative to every 94,000 of the population. 

8. The eighth census was taken in 1860, and on it an appor¬ 
tionment was based, which allowed one Representative for 
every 127,000 of the population. 

In 1850 Congress adopted the principle of permanently fix¬ 
ing the number of members of Congress, to save the trouble of 
doing it as heretofore, every ten years. An act was passed 
limiting it to 233; but notwithstanding this limitation, it was 
provided that if any new State came in, it should have its 
member, which would add to the number. But this increase 
was to continue no longer than until the next apportiomiient, 
when the number was to fall back again to the old figure. 

In 1862 the law was modified to make the whole number of 
members consist of 241 after the 3d of March, 1863. In 1870 
the ninth census was taken, and in 1872 Congress decided that 
after March 3d, 1873, the Representatives should comprise 292 
members, being one Representative for every 135,239 of the 
population and apportioned them among the several States as 
follows: 


Alabama, 

Arkansas, 

California, 

Connecticut, 

Delaware, 

Florida, 

Georgia, 

Mississippi, 


Missouri, 

Nebraska, 

Nevada, 

New Hampshire, 
New Jersey, 

New York, 
North Carolina, 
Ohio, 


13 

1 

1 

3 

7 
33 

8 

20 


RATIO OF REPRESENTATION. 


479 


Illinois, 

19 

Oregon, 

1 

Indiana, 

13 

Pennsylvania, 

27 

Iowa, 

9 

Rhode Island, 

2 

Kansas, 

3 

South Carolina, 

5 

Kentucky, 

10 

Tennessee, 

10 

Louisiana, 

6 

Texas, 

0 

Maine, 

5 

Y ermont. 

3 

Maryland, 

6 

Virginia, 

9 

Massachusetts. 

11 

West Virginia. 

3 

Michigan, 

9 

Wisconsin, 

8 

Minnesota, 

3 




9. But it must be borne in mind that Congress has the 
power to alter all this, and to enact that Congress shall consist 
of any other number of members, although it is not probable 
that this will be done soon. 

10. The foregoing statements will show the general plan 
upon which the House of Kepresentatives is constituted, and 
how the several States are constantly changing the number of 
their Kepresentatives, and their relative power and influence in 
Congress. This can be readily understood by remembering the 
fact that new States come into the Union every few years, and 
that the population increases much more rapidly in the West¬ 
ern States than in the Eastern, and that, consequently, the 
West is rapidly gaining power in Congress, while the Atlantic 
States are losing it. 

11. In the apportionment no regard is had to the Territo¬ 
ries or to their population. In this adjustment, the States and 
their population only are regarded, and the number of mem¬ 
bers is all given to the States. Every Representative from a 
Territory is an addition to that number, but it must be remem¬ 
bered that a Territorial member has no right to vote on any 
question, but has only the right to debate; and for this reason 
he is not, in the fullest sense, a member, and is not counted in 
adjusting the number of which the House is made to consist. 


CHAPTEE V. 


OATHS AND BONDS. 

1. An oath is an appeal to God, by him who makes it, that 
what he has said, or what he shall say, is the truth. It is the 
most solemn form under which one can assert or pronounce 
anything. To utter a falsehood while under oath is perjury, a 
crime of the darkest hue. One which God has declared he 
will punish, and one which is made infamous, and punishable 
by fine and imprisonment by the laws of the land. 

2. The Constitution (Art. 6, Sec. 3) requires that Senators 

and Eepresentatives, and members of the several State Legis¬ 
latures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the 
United States, and of the several States, shall be bound by oath 
or affirmation to support the Constitution. Then in the second 
article, section eight, the form of the oath required of the 
President before he enters upon his duties, is given in these j 
words: i 

‘‘ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe¬ 
cute the office of President of the United States, and will to 
the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Consti- 
stitution of the United States.” 

3. This is all the Constitution says about oaths; but it is j 
enough to show that no man (unless he commit perjury) can^ i 
accept office, either under the United States or any State gov¬ 
ernment, unless he in good faith will support the Constitution. 

But in the laws enacted by Congress, we find that not only 
official oaths are required; but in a great variety of other cases, | 
men who transact business with the government are required 
to verify their accounts and statements with an oath. This is 
particularly the case with those who do business with the cus¬ 
tom house; such as merchants, shipowners, and masters of \ 
vessels. Many oaths must be put in the form of affidavits; 1 

that is, the oath must be written and signed by the deponent, I 

that the statements made may be preserved. 

4. The form of official oaths varies according to the nature 

( 480 ) 


OATHS AND BONDS. 


481 


of the duties to be performed by tlie deponent. The oath must 
be taken before the officer enters upon his duties. Should he 
neglect or refuse to do this, his acts will be illegal, and he 
would make himself liable to punishment. 

After the late civil war broke out, Congress for the purpose 
of preventing those who had voluntarily taken part in the 
rebellion, from holding thereafter any office under the govern¬ 
ment, passed an act requiring every one before he could accept 
any office, either in the civil, military, or naval departments, to 
take an oath in the following form: 

5. 1, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never 

voluntarily borne arms against the United States, since I have 
been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, 
countenance, counsel or encouragement to persons engaged in 
armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought, nor 
accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office 
whatever, under any authority or pretended authority in hos¬ 
tility to the United States; that 1 have not yielded a voluntary 
support to any pretended government, authority, power or 
Constitution, within the United States, hostile or inimical 
thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) that to the best of 
my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Con¬ 
stitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and 
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; 
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental I’eserva- 
tion or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully 
discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. 
So help me God.” 

So strong and comprehensive an oath as this was never before 
required from any officer of the government. It answers the 
requirements of the Constitution, and substantially compre¬ 
hends all contained in any other forms heretofore used. It is 
at once an oath of allegiance, an oath of support of the Con¬ 
stitution, and an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the 
office taken. This goes by the name of the Test oath, and 
frequently The Iron-clad Oath.” 

31 


482 


OATHS AND BONDS. 


6. The object of the test oath was, during the Civil AVar, 
to prevent the entrance into any office of a person who might 
be secretly unfriendly to the government, and use his position 
to the advantage of its enemies. So comprehensive and minute 
an oath would allow no chance of mental evasion to a con¬ 
scientious person, and would lay the offender under the liability 
of severe punishment. It is evidently proper to bind all offi¬ 
cers of the general and State governments under the strongest 
and most solemn obligation to a faithful and honest discharge 
of their duties. 

7. Whoever receives an office in the United States, which 
is connected with the revenue in any way, so that public money 
passes through his hands, is requii-ed to give a bond as secu¬ 
rity for such money. These bonds give the government a claim 
on their property if the money is not accounted for according 
to the directions of the law. They are signed by one or more 
persons who must show that they have the means to pay the 
amount for which they become security. The amount ot secu¬ 
rity required depends on the sums of money that are to pass 
through the hands of the official, or which is likely at any time to 
accumulate in his possession. The government takes all the care 
it can that there shall be no risk of loss of the public property, 
and the bond is designed to afford adequate security for all that 
any officer may have charge of. 

8. By this means two imp(.)rtant ends are gained. No per¬ 
son can get an office who has no friends and no reputation tor 
uprightness sufficient to induce those that know him to risk 
their own property on his honesty and faithfulness. It was 
designed to be a sure means for the government of finding out 
who were to be trusted. If he has not property himself, so 
that he can secure his bondsmen to their satisfaction, he must 
have so high a character for integrity that they are willing to 
risk their money in his hands, or he cannot obtain an office. 
Security for public funds, and a high degree of personal worth 
are both expected to be gained by this requirement. 

On the whole, this works very well indeed, in both respects, 


GOVERNMENT PRISONS. 


483 


but there seems no security, that is quite infallible, against 
roguery, unless it be in the extreme care of the people, and their 
constant watchfulness over all the affairs of the country and all 
the men who represent them. It is difficult to make a house 
so strong that a thief cannot get into it by force or stratagem, 
and rogues who wish to steal from the public funds may band 
together and help one another to get into office and then divide 
what spoil they can secure; or unforseen events may bring 
more money than was properly secured into an officer’s hands, 
or those whose duty it is to see that he disburses the funds at 
the right times may be careless or dishonest. 

9. The only sure way is to take care that none but men of 
proved integrity get into office, and to take all pains to cultivate 
honesty in the community at large. The money lost by the 
government is probably much less in proportion than in the 
private business of the country. Great watchfulness is really 
exercised, and when such a case occurs it is immediately known 
through the whole country. Not many men are willing to run 
so much risk of punishment and public reprobation. Too 
much care, however, cannot be taken .to prevent corruption in 
public life. It destroys the purity and soundness of character 
on which our institutions are founded. A republic cannot 
exist without a high standard of virtue. 

10. Every official is required to take an oath, or make a sol¬ 
emn affirmation to discharge the duties of his office faithfully. 
Though we cannot expect to be quite secure against the trick¬ 
ery and insincerity of false and corrupt men, yet we have 
reason, on the whole, to congratulate ourselves on the general 
security of public property, and the watchfulness of the people 
over their servants in places of trust. 


CHAPTER VI. 

GOVERNMENT PRISONS. 

1. The United States government has always endeavored to 
continue, as it commenced, to rule with vigor, and to preserve 



484 


PROCLAMATIONS. 


a wholesome respect for its own authority and the rights of all 
its citizens, while it has, beyond all other governments, proba¬ 
bly, that hav^e ever existed sought to avoid arbitrariness and 
severity; keeping in mind the principle lying at the founda¬ 
tion of its institutions that it exists, not for itself, but for the 
good of the people. It has assumed that the people generally 
would not require coercion to submit to its regulations, and 
has not, therefore, made that ample provision for punishment 
and intimidation that is usual among governments. 

In conlirmation of this we call attention to the fact that the 
general government does not own, and has never built, prisons 
for the confinement of offenders against its laws. Imprison¬ 
ment, as the mildest form of punishment, has, indeed, very often 
been inflicted, more often than any other form of j^unishment. 
How does this occur when they own no prisons? The answer 
is that they use the prisons of the States wherever they will 
allow it. This arrangement between the general and State 
governments has been made in nearly if not all the States; the 
United States paying for the support of their prisoners. 

2. But in case any State should refuse to make such an 
agreement, the United States marshal of any district where a 
prisoner is to be confined, is authorized to procure some build¬ 
ing where the prisoners may be safely confined in the district 
where they have been tried and convicted, or where they have 
been arrested and are held for trial. 

This is a far more economical plan than it would be for the 
United States to build prisons all over the country, and then to 
employ keepers of them. It exemplifles the friendly relations 
existing between the States and the general government. 


CHAPTEE VII. 
PEOCLAMATIONS. 

1. A Proclamation is an ofHcial notice published by one 
high in authority, for the purpose of giving reliable and author- 



PROCLAMATIONS. 


485 


itative information to the people that something has been done, 
or will soon be done, which is important for them to know, 
that they may act, or refrain from acting according to the 
information contained in the proclamation. These proclama¬ 
tions are made known to the country throngh the most exten¬ 
sive channels of information that can be used for conveying 
intelligence to everybody in the Eepublic. In our day, and in 
our country, the newspapers are the best means that can be 
used for this ]Durpose. But in ancient times, and before the 
art of printing was known, swift riders or runners were dis¬ 
patched to every part of the kingdom or country over which 
the proclamation was to be made known. These messengers 
carried it with them, and proclaimed it in the ears of all the 
people. 

2. These documents are official acts brought before the 
people in due form and solemnity. Sometimes they are only 
recommendations; at others they have all the force of organic 
law, or the acts of Congress. 

It has, for some years, been the custom of the Executive 
to designate some day toward the close of the year as a day 
of thanksgiving, recommending the day to be observed in a 
religious manner. Important changes in the commercial 
affairs between us and some foreign country are made known 
by the same method. 

3. A memorable proclamation was made by President 
Lincoln, in 1862, by which he made known to the country, and 
especially to the Southern States, that if they continued their 
war against the United States for one hundred days after its 
issuance, he would then, in virtue of his authority as com¬ 
mander-in-chief of the army and navy, liberate the slaves in 
all the seceded States. At the expiration of the time, which 
was on the first of January, 1863, he issued another proclama¬ 
tion, in and by which he did emancipate all the slaves in every 
State which had warred against the United States government. 

The blockading of our ports at the commencement of the 
civil war, and the imposition of an embargo upon our ship- 


486 


COMMISSIONERS. 


ping, previous to the last war with England, were both subjects 
which brought out proclamations from the President who then 
tilled the Executive chair. 

4. Tlie above examples show the character of the cases which 
cause proclamations to be issued. In some instances tliey have 
tlie aiitliority of law; in others tliey are merely recommenda¬ 
tions; and in others only communicate important intelligence 
in regard to our public affairs at home or abroad. 

CITAPTEE VIII. 
COMMISSIONERS. 

1. As it is one purpose of this work to give a clear and 
complete account of the mode of conducting the affairs of the 
general government, we have thought it best to call attention 
to the class of othcers named at the head of this chapter; and 
esjiecially since persons acting under this title are assigned to 
a variety of duties, sometimes permanent and sometimes 
tem])orary. In the first place, they act as heads of Inireaus in 
the various departments. These commissioners are permanent 
officials of the government, established and ])rovided for by 
law; such are the commissioners of the land office, patent 
office, pension office, tkc. 

2. Another class of commissioners can hardly be considered 
officers, but rather tem]iorary or sjiecial agents. In the multi¬ 
farious duties devolving upon Congress, the President, and all 
the departments, it not unfrequently happens that it is imprac¬ 
ticable for them to do certain things necessary to be done. 
The business to be transacted may be at a great distance from 
the capital, ev^en in a foreign country. In these cases com¬ 
missioners are a])pointed to do such business. They have 
been a])])ointed to negotiate a peace, to make treaties of various 
kinds between us and other powers, and to negotiate with the 
Indians for the purchase of their lands. The United States 
courts appoint them to take bail, or to take testimony to be 



OFFICIAL REGISTER. 


487 


used on trials, and do various other things necessary in trials 
and proceedings before them. 

3. Congress frerjuently appoints commissioners to obtain 
information, or to investigate some matter on which they 
expect to legislate. In all cases they must report their pro¬ 
ceedings, either to Congress, to the President, or to the head 
of the department under whose instruction they act. Perma¬ 
nent commissioners report once a year, oi‘ oftener if required, 
that Congress may know the condition of affairs in their 
respective bureaus. Special commissioners, after they liave 
performed the work assigned, make their I’eport; after which 
their duties cease, and their commission comes to an end. 

4. The lowest grade of diplomatic agents are called com¬ 
missioners. We are thus represented at the present time in 
the Republics of Hayti and Liberia. 

5. By recent acts of Congress, the powers of commission¬ 
ers in some cases have been enlarged. They now examine 
persons charged witli crimes against the laws of the United 
States; hold them to bail, discharge them, or commit them to 
prison; and do other magisterial acts, preliminary to the trial 
of the ac^cused. When acting in such cases, tliey are clothed 
with some of the powers of a court. 

CHAPTER IX. 

OFFICIAL REGISTER. 

1. Congress, in 1816, passed an act authorizing and requir¬ 
ing the Secretary of State, once in two years, to print and 
publish a book called the official register,” in which he was 
ordered to register the name of every officer and agent of the 
government, in the civil, military and naval departments, 
including cadets and midshipmen, together with the compen¬ 
sation received by eacli; the names of the State and county 
v'^here born; and the name of the place where employed, 
whether at home or abroad. 



488 


THE STAES AND STRIPES. 


To the list of persons einployed in the Navy Department, 
the Secretary of the Navy is required to subjoin the names, 
force and condition of all the ships and vessels belonging to the 
United States, and when and wliere built. 

This work has been published and distributed, as the law 
directs, ever since the passage of the act, and is sometimes 
denominated “ the blue book.” It is a very convenient and 
useful publication, as it shows in compact form the whole offi¬ 
cial force of the government in each department, together with 
the cost of maintaining it. 

As it contains only names and dates and facts relating to 
persons, comparatively few would take the pains to read it, 
and but a small number is published. It can be found in 
the Congressional library at Washington, where twenty-live 
copies of each edition are deposited. 


CHAPTEE X. 

THE STAES AND STEIPES. 

A nation’s Flag represents its sovereignty. It is adopted 
by its supreme authority as a symbol or sign of itself, and 
wherever it waves the fact of the substantial control of that 
authority, at that point, is thereby asserted. If there is a 
struggle between two ])owers for control, the presence of the 
flag proves that the authority it represents still maintains 
itself, and its subjugation is declared by lowering its flag and 
by the substitution of another in its place. 

The flag is, therefore, an expression to the eye of the condi¬ 
tion of things; and attracts the sympathies and antipathies, 
the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears of those interested in 
the sovereignty it represents. It is the rallying point of sen¬ 
timent and of energy. The aflection and reverence bestowed 
on our country will light up into a patriotic flame at sight of 
its flag. It is associated with all the heroic deeds and achiev- 
ments that adorn our national history, and with the loss of all 



THE STARS AND STRIPES. 


489 


those we honored and loved who followed and fought for it, and 
gave their lives in its defense. Our Star Spangled Banner ” 
has been a thousand times baptized in blood dearer to us tlian 
our own, and the sight of it recalls all these sacrifices so cheer¬ 
fully made to establish or to preserve our institutions. The 
flag of the United States may well call forth more enthusiastic 
affection, pride, and hope than any other in the world; for it 
symbolizes not only home, country, and associations dear to 
Americans, but the justice, liberty, and right of self govern¬ 
ment that are dear to all mankind. Humanity at large has a 
deep interest in it. 

Its history is this: Soon after the Declaration of Independ¬ 
ence the Continental Congress appointed a committee to con- 
fe]’ with Gen. Washington and “design a suitable flag for the 
nation.” After the painful and depressing defeat on Long 
Island, the retreat through the Jerseys and across the Dela¬ 
ware, when everything seemed lost for the new government, 
Washington suddenly struck the vigorous blows at Trenton 
and Princeton that confounded the enemy and drove him back 
to Staten Island*. Congress and the country were cheered with 
a hope and a resolution that never afterwards failed them; for 
in the next campaign occurred the capture of Burgoyne, fol¬ 
lowed by the treaty with France; and the close of the war in 
our favor w^as henceforth only a question of time. 

In the month of Mayor early June, 1777, following the stag- 
i^ering blow W^-shington had given the British army in Jer¬ 
sey, the committee referred to above, and Washington, com¬ 
pleted the design for a flag. This was accomplished and the 
first flae* made at the house of a Mrs. Boss, in Arch St., Phila¬ 
delphia. The house is still standing—Bo. 239. She had a 
shop where she followed the “ upholder” trade, as it was then 
called—the same as our upholstering. One day the Com¬ 
mander-in-chief, lion. Geo. Boss, a relative of liers, and certain 
members of Congress, called on her, with a design for a flag— 
thirteen red and white stripes, alternate with thirteen six 
pointed stars—-and requested her to make the flag. She con- 


490 


THE STARS AND STRIPES. 


sen ted but suggested that the stars would be more symmetrical 
and more pleasing to the eye if made with five points, and 
folded a sheet of paper and produced the pattern b}" a single 
cut. This was approved and she finished a flag the next day. 
Mrs. floss was given the position of manufacturer of flags for 
tlie government, which descended to her children. 

This was the flag that led our armies to victory during the 
remainder of the war, waved over the crestfallen soldiers of 
Burgoyne and Cornwallis, and at the mast head of John Paul 
Jones on the Englisli coast. In 1794 this flag was changed, 
though its chief features were retained. Congress then ordered 
that the flag should consist of fifteen stripes, alternate red and 
wliite, and fifteen stars, white on a blue field. There were 
tlien fifteen States. The stars and stripes were equal, and a 
stripe and a star were added with the advent of each new State. 
This was changed in 1818, as the States increased and the flag 
tlireatened to become too large, by reducing tlie stripes to thir¬ 
teen, representing the original [Jiiion, and the stars were made 
equal to the number of States. No change has since been 
made except to add a star whenever the union 'increased by the 
admission of a State. 

The Star Spangled Banner,” a stirring patriotic song which 
is to Americans what the “ Marseillaise ” is to the French, 
was composed by the author during the cannonade of Fort 
McHenry, near Baltimore, by the British fleet co-operating 
witli an army which was to attack it, simultaneously with the 
fall of the foi’t, by land. Sept. 13th, 1814. The poet had gone 
on board the fleet under a flag of truce before the attack began, 
to negotiate about some prisoners, and was obliged to remain 
until the next day, the cannonade continuing during the night. 
If tlie fort surrendered Baltimore would be taken; and the fate 
of Washington, pillaged and bui’iied a few days before, filled 
the people with the anxiety which is expressed by the poet, to 
know if the flag still waved in the morning “ over the Land of 
the Free and the Home of the Brave.” The joy of all America 
may be conceived when Admiral Cockrane drew off his fleet 


GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES. 


491 


and took the British army on board, while the “ Stars and 
Stripes ” continued to float gaily on the breeze over Fort 
McHenry. 


C II A P T E B XI. 

THE GEEAT SEAL OF THE IJXITED STATES. 

1. The use of seals to give authority to documents, and to 
establish their genuineness, comes down to us from a remote 
antiquity. It is much easier to counterfeit a signature alone, 
than the impression of a seal, and wlien both occur on a docu¬ 
ment it is considered fairly safe to be relied on as a sign of 
authority. 

They are usually emblematic of some event, or sentiment 
attaching to the history or prevailing tendency and feeling of 
a country. They are used on documents or papers issued by 
tlie government. Some of the Departments have a special seal 
for tlieir own use, in cases where the signature of the Presi¬ 
dent is not required. If it is not afflxed to the proper papers 
they fail to become legal and have no authority. 

2. The usual mode of affixing the seal formerly was by 
placing melted wax on the paper and pressing tlie seal on it 
giving a fac simile or perfect representation of it. As this 
required time and business increased with the growth of the 
country. Congress passed an act making it lawful to affix the 
seal by making the impression directly on ])aper. 

The custody of the Great Seal is with the Secretary of State, 
whose duty it is to affix it to all civil commissions issued to 
officers of the United States appointed by the President and 
Senate, or by the President alone. But it is forbidden to be 
affixed before the President has signed it. The seal alone 
without the signature has no value, ft is used to show the 
genuineness of the President’s signature. 

3. The Secretary of State and all the other secretaries of the 
great departments, each have a seal of office which is affixed to 



492 


GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES. 


commissions, and to other instruments emanating from their 
respective offices. 

Several of the most important bureaus are required by law 
to have seals of office; for example, the Land Office and the 
Patent Office. When the United States gives a j^atent (title) 
to land, it must be sealed by the Land Office seal. A patent 
right must be issued under the seal of the Patent Office. 

4. One of the most common and important uses of seals 
arises from the necessity people are often under to have copies 
of records, maps, and various other papers, the originals of 
which are in some of the departments at Washington, to be 
used as evidence in courts, where trials and other legal proceed¬ 
ings are pending. In order to provide for this necessity. Con¬ 
gress has enacted that copies of such records, maps and papers 
belonging to any of the government offices, under the signa¬ 
ture of the head of such office, or of its chief clerk, with the 
seal affixed, shall be as competent evidence in all cases as their 
originals would be. 

HISTORY OF THE GREAT SEAL. 

1. Soon after the formal establishment of the Republic by 
the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, John 
Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed a committee to 
prepare a seal. They employed an artist and furnished various 
devices; Jefferson combining them all at the request of the 
otliers. The paper still exists in the office of the Secretary of 
State at Washington. They reported Aug. 10th, 1776, but for 
some unknown reason, probably neglect, it Avas not acted on. 

In 1779 another committee was appointed, to make a device. 
They reported May lOtli, 1780. It was not acceptable, and was 
recommitted, being again rej^orted a year afterwards, but not 
adopted. In 1782 a third committee was appointed, but could 
not satisfy Congress in their report. It was then referred to 
the Secretary of (Congress, Charles Thomson, who procured 
A^arious devices that Avere unsatisfactory. 

After vainly striving to perfect a seal which should meet the 
approval of Congress, Thomson finally received from John 


GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES. 


493 


Adams, then in London, an exceedingly simple and appropriate 
device, suggested by Sir John Prestwitch, a baronet of the 
West of England, who was a warm friend of America, and an 
accomplished antiquarian. It consisted of an escutcheon bear¬ 
ing thirteen perpendicular stripes, white and red, with the 
chief blue, and spangled with thirteen stars; and, to give it 
greater consequence, he proposed to place it on tlie> breast of 
an American eagle, displayed, without supporters, as emblem¬ 
atic of self-reliance. It met with general approbation, in and 
out of Congress, and was adopted in June, 1782; so it is man¬ 
ifest, although the fact is not extensively known, that wo are 
indebted for our national arms to a titled aristocrat of the 
country with which we were then at war. Eschewing all her¬ 
aldic technicalities, it may be thus described in plain English: 
Thirteen perpendicular pieces, white and red; a blue held; the 
escutcheon on the breast of the American eagle displayed, hold¬ 
ing in his right talon an olive-branch, and in his left a bundle 
of thirteen arrows, and in his beak a scroll, inscribed with the 
motto E Plurihus JJmim. For the crest, over the head of 
the eagle, which appears above the escutcheon, a golden glory 
breaking through a cloud, and surrounding thirteen stars, 
forming a constellation of white stars on a blue held. 

Reverse .—A pyramid unhnished. In the zenith, an eye in 
a triangle, surrounded with a glory. Over the eye, the words 
Amiuit Coeptis —“God has favored the undertaking.” On 
the base of the pyramid, are the numeral Koman letters 
MOCCLXXYI; and underneath the motto, Nomis Ordo 
Seculorum —“A Xew Series of Ages ”—denoting that a new 
order of things had commenced in the Western hemisphere. 
Thus, after many fruitless efforts, for nearly six years, a very 
simple seal was adopted, and yet remains the arms of the 
United States. 


CHAPTER XII. 


THE OPJGIN OF LAW. 

1. The origin of law varies with the character or class of 
the government nnder which it is made. AVhere all authority 
is concentrated in the hands of one man his will becomes law 
whenever expressed, or when expressed in some regular and 
formal way. More generally laws are originated, in our days, 
in civilized countries where there is a inonarchial government, 
by the ruler in conjunction with representatives of the people 
or some classes of them. In point of fact, rulers are always 
obliged to regard the habits, traditions, and feelings of the 
people more or less, or they may be obliged by a revolution, or 
the intrigues of the ambitious founded on their discontent, to 
retire to private life. The real prominence of the people in 
their governments is constantly becoming greater in all civil¬ 
ized lands, and it seems highly probable, that, before matiy 
generations have passed, all governments not founded on an 
acknowledgment of the Sovereignty of the People will be 
incapable of maintaining themselves. 

2. In the United States of America the source of all 
authority, and the origin of all law, is in the people alone. 
The fact that laws are made by Representatives does not alter 
the principle at all. They are simply the substitutes or agents 
of the people. Where there are many people any other than 
a Representative Democracy is impossible. These are chosen 
from among their equals, and when their term of office has 
expired ‘return to the common level. If they are ambitious 
of more than one term of office they must take special care 
not to offend the majority that tirst elected them. 

3. Tlie first signal exercise of the law making power by the 
people was in the adoption of the Constitution as the Funda¬ 
mental Law. This established the character of the orovern- 

O 

ment, prescribed the duties and limits of the legislative and 
executive branches, and organized a third branch to watch 
over the action of the other two and keep it in harmony with 

( 494 ) 


THE ORIGIN OF LAAV. 


495 


tlie Constitution. This Instrnnient then beeanie the source or 
foundation of all i<pecial law. It is a comprehensive state¬ 
ment of the Avill of the people, hut it may be changed or 
enlarged in a prescribed way. It is binding on all legislators 
and executives. WhateA^er may be enacted or done by them 
not in accord Avith it is null and void; the Su])renie Court 
being bound so to announce Avhen the fact sliall be ])roved 
before it. The Constitution is the LaAV of the Land. Any 
hiAvs enacted by Congress, or by State Legislatures, not con¬ 
trary to it, are valid and binding; but any attempt to set aside 
any of its provisions, or disregard its true intent, Avould be 
usurpation and a violation of the rights of the ])eople. The 
term State Sovereignty can, consecpiently, lie true only in a 
limited and secondarv sense, this being a higher Sovereignty 
still. 

4. The larger part of the general huvs Iiy Avdiich we are gov¬ 
erned are made liy Congress, that body having been instituted 
to that special end. It is composed of a po])ular House, or 
one chosen directly by the people, and one more select, chosen 
by the State Legislatui’es to represent their States as a Avhole. 
If the Legislature represents the Avill of the peoj)le of the 
State accurately, as it always does unless some change in pop¬ 
ular opinion takes place suddeidy after it has been elected, the 
Senators as Avell as HepresentatiA^es Avill endiody the \deAvs of 
the people in their respectiA*e States. So Ave see that the peo¬ 
ple are Sovereign and laAV really originates Avith them. LaAvs, 
indeed, may be made by their agents that do not suit them; 
but, if they cannot induce them to repeal such hiAvs by peti¬ 
tion, remonstrance, or otherAvise, at once, by Avaiting a little 
until the terms of such members expire they can replace them 
by others pledged to carry out their views. Thus the general 
policy of the government is determined by the ])eople at the 
(reneral elections. Thev i^ive the hiAv to the hiAv makers, and 
ap])oint the executives Avho Avill administer them in the spirit 
they aj^proA e. The whole matter is AAuthin tlieii* control as a 
point of power, and still more so from the natural deference 


496 


thp: origin of law. 


the Kepresentatives of the people feel toward the wishes of 
those on whose favor they depend. The deep indignation or 
contempt of their fellow men will seldom be incurred, even if 
they have no ambition for further electoral honors. 

5. The treaties made by tlie President, which require to be 
ratified by the Senate to become binding, and the ajpproval of 
the House of Re])resentatives if money is required to cany 
them into effect — since only that branch can dispose of the 
property of the country, or originate laws for raising money— 
have also the force of general laws. Tlie whole country is 
bound to act in conformity with their provisions. We have, 
then, three kinds of law, or laws from three different sources 
that are alike binding on the whole country: the Constitution, 
which is unchangeable except by vote of the Legislatures or 
conventions of three-fourths of the States; tlie laws of Con¬ 
gress, wdiich may be made and repealed at their pleasure; and 
treaty law, which involves the consent of a foreign State, but 
requires the assent of the President and one or both bodies of 
Congress, and which may be abrogated or modified at the 
united pleasure of all the parties concerned in making it. 

6. There is a fourth species of law more general still and 
more or less of which is often involved in treaties with foreign 
governments. This is the Law of Nations, or the principles 
acknowledged b}" all civilized nations as binding on them in 
their intercourse with each other. The only binding force it 
possesses is in the general practice of mankind, and the 
authority of public opinion. Tins is commonly effective, since 
all law depends really on the approval of the people for its 
efficacy, or at least on their silent submission if they disapprove. 

7. In every State in the Union the people elect a Legisla¬ 
tive body which makes such local laws as the people wish to 
be governed by, and as their special circumstances require; 
but they are not permitted to legislate on general questions, 
to make any law contrary to the Constitution, or to the laws 
of Congress, nor are its laws binding on any but the citizens 
of the State in which they are made, or such others as may be 


THE LAW OK NATIONS. 


407 


residing tliere. Each State has a Constitution which deter¬ 
mines the special organization of its government, and limits 
and defines the powers of its different branches; but it is 
required to be in harmony with the Constitution of the United 
States. The Constitution, Legislature and officers of a State 
are determined by vote of its people. 

8. After this examination we reach this conclusion: That 
there is no institution in the United States that has not been 
virtually established by the people, its fundamental law was 
adopted by them of their own free will and may be changed 
when they see fit; and that if all the laws, of whatever hind, 
that are binding on them, are not such as they prefer, they are, 
at least, originally responsible for them, and have in their 
hands the means of changing them within a reasonably short 
period. In fact their demand or the zeal of their Representa¬ 
tives for their interests usually originates whatever laws are 
made. The constant general prosperity of the country since 
the establishment of the present government, the increase of 
intelligence and self respect among the people, and the bene¬ 
ficial influence exerted by the United States on the world tend 
to confirm and settle its principles and laws on a permanent 
foundation. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

THE LAW OF NATIONS. 

1. The laws of any nation are the rules by which it is gov¬ 
erned, a violation of which renders the offender liable to the 
infliction of certain penalties. These laws, in many nations, 
are carefully and systematically arranged in the beginning, as 
in the United States; in others, as in England, they are gradu¬ 
ally produced, the course taken in dealing with the first of a 
class of similar cases furnishing a precedent that is equal in 
force to a general law. 

2. From very early times the different nations who had 

32 



498 


THE LAW OF NA^HONS. 


intercourse witli each otlier began to follow certain rules, which 
coniinonlj originated in the mode last mentioned above; and 
many of them became generally recognized as the proper guide 
in international intercourse. These customs came, at length, 
to be called the Law of Nations. Writers of eminence care¬ 
fully investigated them, and studied the principles on which 
they were founded. These writers are held to be authorities 
as to this law, and the principles they have laid down are gen¬ 
erally acknowledged, by civilized nations in modern times, as 
the standard of International Law. 

8. There is no possibility, in the present state of the world, 
of organizing a tribunal with authority to impose penalties for 
violations of this law by individual nations; though it is to be 
hoped that may some time be the case. The only representa¬ 
tive of such a tribunal is the general o]>inion of the civilized 
world; and nations must, themselves, act as supreme judges 
and executors of the law as it applies (or as they choose to hold 
it as applying) to their disputes. When they cannot come to 
an agreement with their adversaries, they commonly Declare 
War, and endeavor to right themselves by force. 

4. This is not, by any means, an equitable or satisfactory 
way of avenging wrongs. The aggressor may be the strong¬ 
est; and the offense, in that case, will be greatly increased. It 
causes the penalty, in any case, to fall very heavily on many 
innocent heads, and produces lamentable and wide-spread deso¬ 
lation. Yet it is sometimes better than tame submission; and 
the right to make ’war when grievous wrong has been suffered, 
or indignity offered to the national honor, is recognized by the 
Law of Nations; and certain rules are applied by it as a guide 
in honorable warfare. There is nothing but self-respect, and 
res^^ect for the opinions of the civilized world, to keep belliger¬ 
ent nations within the limits of these rules. They are, how¬ 
ever, continually becoming better defined, and Public Opinion 
has more and more w^eight in each succeeding generation. 

5. Some of the more important features of International 
Law (or the Law of Nations) are, that every nation has the right 


TITK LAW OF NATIONS. 


499 


to regulate lier own intei’iial attkirs without interference from 
otliers, unless some of these regulations may seriously affect 
the interests of a foreign power; that national boundaries are 
to he res])ected ; that bodies of Avater lying within a national 
territory, and the seacoast for three miles from the shore, are 
under its exclusiv'e jurisdiction ; and that a nation may take 
measures to protect its own citizens who may be traveling or 
doing business in other countries, nidess they violate its laws; 
and then it may first examine the case liefore the accused is 
given u]) for trial and punishment to a foreign court. There 
are many other rules. These will serve as examples. 

6. One class of these laws requires special mention, because 
they are often more carefully defined than most other inter¬ 
national customs. These are Neutrality Laws. Those now in 
force in the United States were enacted in 1818. They are only 
a formal recognition by our highest legislative authority—Con¬ 
gress—of the Law of Nations as generally accepted by other 
governments. The leading regulations are, that our citizens 
shall not interfere, but at their own risk and peril, in contests 
between other nations; that no armament shall be fitted out in 
onr territory for the purpose of making war on any power with 
Avhich we are at peace ; and making it unlawful for an Ameri¬ 
can vessel to carry “ Contraband of War’’ (or war material) to 
either of two warring nations. It forbids granting to one 
nation rights not allowed to the other Avith which it is at Avar. 
Neutrality Laws are designed to avoid causes of unfriendly 
feeling, and to prevent the improper interference of our citizens 
in the quarrels of other nations. 

7. Our gOA^ernment believed itself wronged in the course 
of the recent Civil War by England. It claimed that the Eng¬ 
lish government had not been at proper pains to preserve a 
neutral attitude; and complaint being made, the tAvo gOA^ern- 
ments agreed to appoint a Commission to examine and arbitrate 
the case—the decision, wdiateA^er it might be, to be accepted 
by both parties. This was done, at Oeneva, in S\Adtzerland; 
and probably prevented a \A^ar between the two countries. It 


500 RELATION OF GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION. 

is to be hoped that all national disputes may hereafter be set¬ 
tled in this reasonable and Christian way. 

8. Treaties are international laws binding on the two or 
more parties making the contract; and our Foreign Represen¬ 
tatives (as ambassadors, ministers resident, etc.) deal with 
International Law as arranged by treaties and the Laws of 
Nations. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

RELATION OF GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION. 

1. Religion has always exerted so much influence on men 
that it has been customary for governments to assume more or 
less control over it; and, as the leaders of religious systems 
have commonly been glad to get the support of governments, 
there has usually existed what is called a ‘‘Union of Church 
and State,” the government endorsing the views of some 
special religious system, and giving more or less support to its 
officials; sometimes, even refusing to tolerate any other; or, 
if tolerated, reserving its special recognition and favors, and 
whatever material support it chose to give to religious estab¬ 
lishments to that termed National, alone; that church return¬ 
ing the favor by using its great influence with the people to 
support the measures of the government. 

It is very distasteful to many men who difler from the views 
of the favored system to be required to support it, and to be 
frowned upon by the government if they do not feel inclined to 
connect themselves with it. 

2. The Founders of our government were wise enough to 
leave the people to arrange religious questions according to 
their pleasure. They were not unbelievers in religion, but 
thought, as most of our citizens now think, that entire liberty 
should be left to all to act in religious matters as they felt able 
and inclined. All religious systems are equally tolerated—no 
government support is given specially to any. Some people 



RELATION OF GOVERNMENT TO RELIGION. 


501 


do not approve of religious oaths {s,i\ atHnnation in the name 
of God, or calling God to witness that what is said is true,) 
and from such persons a solemn affirmation or statement, 
answers the purposes of the law. 

Although neither the Constitution, nor Congress in its laws, 
prescribe a religious profession of any kind, and the Constitu¬ 
tion prohibits Congress from making laws respecting the 
establishment of a State religion, or interfering with the free 
exercise of it, and declares that “ no religious test shall ever be 
required, as a qualification to any office or public trust, under 
the United States,” neither do they discourage religion. 
Respect is shown, in many ways, to religion. Congress usually 
appoints a chaplain, now of one denomination, and now of 
another; it allows chaplains in the army and navy, and pro¬ 
vides them a salary; and, of late years, the President recom¬ 
mends a day of l^ational thanksgiving to God once a year, for 
the blessings we enjoy, and sometimes proclaims a day of fast¬ 
ing and prayer. It shows all due respect to the religious 
beliefs among the people, but leaves all free to practice any 
form of it, or to reject them all. 

3. Entire religious liberty is a rarity in the world, and is 
much more favorable to the purity and weighty infiuence of 
religious teachings than a State religion. Many of the colonies 
that afterwards became States, were founded by persons who 
fied from religious persecution in the countries ol the Old 
World, and multitudes have emigrated here to secure freedom 
in the enjoyment of tlieir religious views and practices, or even 
entire freedom to reject all religion if they could not believe in 
any, though that is seldom the case. 

Our example has been much approved and is having much 
infiuence on other nations. 

TOLERATION OF OPINIONS, 

-f. Is characteristic of the American Government. Liberty 
of the Press, or freedom to state any views a man may entertain, 
is as complete as liberty in religions matters. 'V ery severe 
things are sometimes written and published of tlie government. 


502 


CHAPLAINS. 


and sometimes things that would do much harm if they were 
generally believed, and no notice is taken of it, unless some 
one sees fit to contradict it or prove it to be incorrect. 

If a man injures another’s character by writing things that 
are false, he can be tried, and, if convicted, punished by the 
courts. Yile and indecent writings are prohibited; but other¬ 
wise there is entire freedom. Falsehood and error are left to be 
destroyed in a natural way by the truth. 

This is a great gain to the truth since error has often been 
protected, in other countries, by government authority, on the 
conviction that it was the truth, to the great prejudice of truth 
itself. 

5. Although, during the Civil War, there was some restraint 
put up(.)n the freedom of publishing things that might be 
hurtful to the government, the instances were not very numer¬ 
ous, and, at the close of the war the spirit of toleration was 
shown in a way very creditable to our people, and very praise¬ 
worthy in our government, which left the way open to a speedier 
reunion of sentiment and sympathy in the sections that had 
fought each other so bravely. 

The brave and resolute can afford to be just to each other, 
and to allow entire freedom of opinion to all. In this respect 
we have fairly earned the right to call ourselves a nation of 
freemen. 


CPIAPTEE XV. 

CHAPLAINS. 

1. Regard to the religious habits of a large number of the 
people has led Congress to appoint, or permit the appointment, 
of chaplains to supply such religious instruction and services 
in the army and navy as might be felt desirable by those con¬ 
cerned. 

n^iough chaplains are not properly officers of the govern¬ 
ment, they are employees of it, for they are appointed by its 



CHAPLAINS. 


503 


authority, and paid from its treasury. Those in the army 
receive the same pay and emoluments as a major of infantry; 
or this was the compensation allowed by act of Congress in 
1812. But by an act of 1862, it was fixed at $100 per month, and 
two rations per day, for those in the army or hospitals. By 
the act of 1812, one chaplain was allowed to every brigade; 
but by an act of 1861 (during the civil war,) one for every 
regiment was allowed. 

Navy chaplains, in 1835, received $1,200 per year. But in 
1860 this was raised to a lieutenant’s pay; and this in 1862 was 
$1,800 per annum. 

Chaplains in Congress receive $750 per annum. 

2. The United States also employ a chaj^lain in the military 
academy at West Point. 

From the foregoing it will be seen that in time.of war, with 
one chaplain for every regiment, and one for every ship of war, 
and others in hospitals and military posts, quite a large num¬ 
ber of clergymen are employed by the government. 

This provision for the religious instruction of those who 
cannot, from their peculiar position, attend the preaching of 
the Gospel, or other religious services, is certainly an indica¬ 
tion that our government respects religion, and looks after 
the spiritual as well as the temporal interests of its army and 
navy. 

3. In the appointment of chaplains, the government pur¬ 
sues a liberal course. No ]>articular preference is given to any 
denomination, but they are appointed from almost every relig¬ 
ious sect, and allowed to conduct religious services after the 
forms of the church to which tliey respectively belong. 

Every body knows what the duties of a chaplain are. So we 
need not explain them here, and will only add that a faitliful 
chaplain in the army in time of war has much to do besides 
preaching and holding regular services. The wounded, the 
sick, and the dying, should be the particular objects of his 
attention. He should not only minister religious instruction 
and consolation to them, but look after their physical comforts. 


504 


COMPROMISES. 


Many of these clergymen, during the late most unfortunate 
civil war, distinguished themselves by their exertions to j^ro- 
niote the bodily comforts of those unfortunate men, as well as 
to give them religious instruction, not refusing to nurse the 
sick and w^ounded wherever they could relieve their pains or 
mitigate their sufferings. 

CHAPTER XVI 
COMPROMISES. 

1. In a large and prosperous country there are very likely 
to arise antagonisms of interest and sentiment which will 
require the strong pressure of some common and more imper¬ 
ative interest to overawe and reconcile by a process of mutual 
concession, called Compromise. 

The States of the two sections — Xorth and South — were 
unlike in several general respects ; but it was in nothing so 
marked as in regard to Slavery. This system was introduced 
in Virginia in the same year that the Plymouth colony was 
founded in Massachusetts, and spread to all the colonies, in 
time; but never was much practiced north of Maryland. In 
all the Southern colonies it took deep root from the first. It 
formed the subject of the most difiicult 

COMPROMISE OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

2. This compromise consisted of concessions made by each 
section. The Xorth conceded the return of fugitives from 
their Southern masters, when escaped to the north, and an 
enumeration of three-fifths of the slave population in com¬ 
puting the representation in Congress. This was a great sacri' 
fice for that section to make, for its people were, at heart, deeply 
hostile to Slavery. Both their interests and sentiments made 
it important to exclude it from the new States where they were 
likely to settle in considerable numbers. But a close and strong 
union of the States was a vital point with them. Commerce, 



COMPROMISES. 


505 


trade, and manufactures, to which they were largely given, 
required resources and vigor in the central government, to 
maintain the public credit at home, and secure respect and 
safety abroad. The South conceded the final close of the Slave. 
Trade at a given time (1808). Outside of the Constitution it, 
at the same time, conceded the Ordinance of 1787,” by which 
Slavery was excluded from the territory north of the Ohio river. 
Thus the North and South divided the country between them. 

3. This was, however, a very troublesome subject, and 
affected so many legislativ’e questions as to be constantly com¬ 
ing up for debate. The sentiments of the Northern people 
grew more hostile to the institution, and the South stood on 
guard witli growing apprehension and anger, as this state of 
feeling developed in the North ; and, at the same time, it 
became evident that the more rapid growth of the northern 
population gave them an increasing preponderance in Congres¬ 
sional representation. They jealously watched over the rights 
of the State governments from their fear of Congressional or 
executive interference, and industriously sought means to extend 
their area and increase the number of Slave States. They were 
always much assisted by a large party in the north of those 
who cherished the Union and were fearful of its dissolution. 
They were ever pouring oil on the troubled waters, and medi¬ 
ating between the two extremes. 

THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE. 

4. The arrangement of the Slavery question so termed was 
made in 1820, and took effect as to the State of Missouri in 
1821. In the five years that followed the close of the last war 
with England there was great activity in settlement of the 
unoccupied territory, and the country gave indications of the 
power of rapid development that has so strongly characterized 
it since. The South foresaw the loss of its balance of power 
if too many of the new States were organized as free. Mis¬ 
souri had included a clause in her Constitution, presented for 
the approval of Congress, prohibiting slavery. This clause the 
South demanded should be stricken out. It produced great 


506 


OOIVIPROMISES. 


excitement and hot discussion throughout the country, and 
seemed to threaten the stability of the Union. Both sections 
were resolute in maintaining their principle, but both appre¬ 
ciated the necessity of strength in the government and harmoi^y 
between the sections, and each made a sacrifice for the sake of 
these. Missouri was recpiired to admit slavery, and the con¬ 
dition was annexed that no more Slave States should be formed 
north of its southern line. This was a concession trying to 
both sides. The fSTorth became a party to the extension of 
Slavery, and the South gave definite limits to her power of 
expansion. Each, however, gained something : the South a 
State above the limits before virtually fixed, and the North a 
definite and final limit to the extension of a hated institution. 
This was quite generally satisfactoiy, and for many years set 
that question at rest. 

5. “ Mason and Dixon’s Line ” was the term applied to the 

boundary between the Free and Slave States. This name origi¬ 
nated in colonial times. The royal grants to colonial propri¬ 
etors or companies were often very carelessly made, and those 
to Lord Baltimore, the founder of Maryland, and William 
Penn, the proprietor of Pennsylvania, were specially indefinite, 
giving rise to adverse claims that nearly produced ^var along 
the border. Commissioners were at length appointed, who 
employed Mason and Dixon, eminent English astronomers and 
surveyors, to establish the boundary, which tliey did satisfac¬ 
torily. The importance of the question settled, and the repu¬ 
tation of the surveyors for scientific accuracy, attached their 
name to the boundary permanently. It acquired political 
significance afterwai’ds, as the boundary between Maryland, tlie 
most northern of the slave States, and Pennsylvania, the most 
soutliern of the original free States. AYhen new States were 
formed, with the Ohio river as a boundary from its point of 
departure out of Pennsylvania, that name was extended in its 
a])plication to the whole dividing line between the free and 
slave States—south or north of Mason and Dixon’s Jane mean¬ 
ing, in slave or free territory. 


COMPROMISES. 


507 


6. After some years the southern statesmen began again to 
feel a])prehensive of a loss of their equality of power in the 
general government, so rapidly did the northern territories fill 
up. They began to look for more territory, and favored the 
settlement, independence, and annexation of Texas. Though 
long resisted, they succeeded in the election of 1844, with this 
annexation and a probable war with Mexico as test questions, 
and added not only Texas but New Mexico and California to 
the territory wherein slavery, by the Missouri Compromise, 
would be admissible. 

7. Their satisfaction was not very durable. The discovery 
of gold in California filled it Avith inhabitants so soon, and 
these so largely from the free States, that in two years from its 
definite acquisition it petitioned for admission into the Union 
with a clause in its Constitution prohibiting Slavery. This 
was very exasperating to the South, and after a long and violent 
contest could be carried by the North only by the passage of 
the Fugitive Slave Law—a re-enactment of a part of the Com¬ 
promise of the Constitution with provisions so vigorous and 
eftective, could they have been enforced, as to be, in the highest 
degree, olfensive to a considerable part of the northern people. 
Utah Avas given a Territorial government as a concession to the 
South, and the Slave. Trade was abolished in the District of 
Columbia as her corresponding concession to the North. These 
were the four compromise measures of 1850, the result of a 
discussion lasting nearly a year, engendering great bitterness 
on both sides, and failing to satisfy either. 

8. Tlie attempt to enforce the Fugitive Slave LaAV proved 
ineffectual, in the end ; the rooted aversion of the Northern 
people to Slavery, kept in abeyance before by less oftensive com¬ 
promises, being fully aroused. This produced in the Soutliern 
people a bitter indignation as showing a disposition to rebel 
against a constitutional provision in their favor. They pro¬ 
cured, in 1854, the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in tlie 
famous Kansas and Nebraska Bill,” and sought to introduce 
Slavery into Kansas. A civil Avar in that Territory folloAved, 


508 


TREASON. 


which resulted in the triiiiiiph of the Northern party. The 
extinction of Slavery w^as now apparently but a question of 
time, the hostility to it in the North becoming so out-spoken 
and averse to Compromises acceptable to the South, that they 
began to look forward to separation, which they endeavored to 
accomplish from 1860-5. A civil war, such as oidy Americans 
could wage, was carried on during these years. The resolution, 
bravery, and military talents of either side w^ere never excelled; 
but the resources of the North seemed inexhaustible. Her 
numbers, activity, and the inventive genius of her skilled arti¬ 
sans gave her an immense superiority. This war is a cause 
at once of pride and grief to every true American. In the 
contest Slavery, the cause of it, disappeared, the Constitution 
was amended, and the necessity of Compromises on this ques¬ 
tion forever ceased. 


CHAPTER XYII. 

TREASON. 

1. This is an offense aiming at the existence of the govern¬ 
ment; and in all other governments it has ever been customary 
to punish it with extreme severity. Many things are consid¬ 
ered to be of the nature of treason, and, as such, severely 
punished in most countries. The Constitution defines treason 
to be levying war against the United States, or adhering to 
their enemies, giving them aid and comfort; ” so that the 
highest or capital crime alone may be pursued with its penal¬ 
ties. This is another evidence of the extreme moderation of 
the founders of the govermnent, which we have had occasion 
to notice so often in our examination. 

2. An act of Congress passed April 36th, 1790, detines it 
ill the same sense and orders that the convicted offender shall 
be hung. 

By another act passed 17th July, 1862, it was made discre¬ 
tionary with the court trying the case to put the offender to 



POLITICAL GE(X4RAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


509 


death, or to imprison him for not less than hve years, and to 
tine him for a sum not less than ten thousand dollars. The 
penalty for this crime, even in its mildest form, is very severe; 
thus showing how atrocious this otfense is considered. 

3. None but a person owing allegiance to the United States 
can commit treason against them. The same acts which would 
be treason in a citizen would not be treason if perpetrated by 
a foreigner. 

“ Misprision of treason ” is the concealment of it by a person 
who knows it has been committed. This also is a grave olfense, 
and is punishable by a seven years' imprisonment, and a fine 
not exceeding one thousand dollars. 

4. Any person tried for treason, must be indicted by a 
grand jury, and tried by a petit jury in the Circuit Court of 
the United States within three years after the crime has been 
committed; otherwise it is barred by limitation—or, in other 
words, outlawed. 


CHAPTER XYIII. 

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

1. Geography proper describes the general character of a 
country, as its rivers, bays, gulfs, plains, mountains and natu¬ 
ral divisions. Leaving this to other works we confine ourselves 
to those divisions made by the government for convenience in 
administering its affairs. 

Formerly there was a separation into North and South, by 
‘•Mason and Dixon’s Line,” between which there existed a 
marked difference of governmental, social, and industrial 
j)(»licy. The States south of that line might hold slaves, while 
in those north of it that institution was illegal. That differ¬ 
ence was abolished by the thirteenth amendment to the Consti¬ 
tution, as a result of the Civil War. The next largest—and 
these exist now—are those made by the 



510 


POLTTICAT. GEOGRAPHY OF TTfK EXITED STATES. 


GIKOEIT COURTS. 

2. These often comprise several States and are changed, by 
act of Congress, when the convenience of the Associate Judges 
Of tlie Supreme C(mrt, who preside over them requires it. 
The next largest political divisions ai‘e 

THE STATES. 

3. These exercise sovereign powers in . all matters where 
control has not been expressly delegated by the Constitution 
to the National Congress. The other political boundaries are 
ever liable to change, to meet the requirements of changing 
circumstances. These ai’e definitely fixed, any change being 
very rare and unlikely after they are duly organized and 
admitted into the Union as States. Each of the original 
thirteen colonies became States, with the boundaries they had 
as colonies at the time of the Kevolutionary War. The others 
received such boundaries as suited the convenience and wishes 
of the people when they were admitted. Their object is to 
prevent the centralization of too much power in the general 
government, and to render legislation on local affairs and inter¬ 
ests more convenient, and more satisfactory to the people of 
each State. The State having the least number of inhabitants 
numbers between 40,000 and 50,000; the one having the 
largest number contains between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000. 
The number of the States determines the number of Senators 
in Congress, two being allotted to each; so that a State may be 
CT)n8idered as a Senatorial District. 

DISTRICT COURTS 

4. Produce another class of political divisions. These 
attend to legal differences involving the laws of the general 
gcvernrnent, luit of a secondary class. They are more numer¬ 
ous than the Circuit Coui’ts. In some States there is but one, 
and some have several, according to size and population. 

COLLECTION DISTRICTS. 

5. Another class of districts has been formed, for the pur¬ 
pose of collecting the duties on imported goods. These a»'e 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED t^TATES. 511 

called ‘‘ collection districts.” They extend along, and embrace 
the whole sea coast and the shores of navigable lakes and rivers. 
In a few instances they are located inland, at points where 
goods may be brought into the United States by land. Each 
collection district has a port of entry, and very often several 
]X)rts of deliver}^; also a collector of customs, and generally a 
custom house. 

b. Another class of collection districts was formed during 
the late ci\dl war. They grew out of the war, and were estab¬ 
lished for the collection of the tax teimed the "‘interaal 
revenue,” which had to be levied to pay the war expenses. 
These districts differ entirely, both in their objects and in the 
territory embraced within them, from those established for the 
purpose of collecting duties on imports, and correspond as far 
as practicable with the Congressional districts in each State. 

LAND DISTRICTS. 

7. Land districts may also be noticed among these divisions. 
In every State and Territory where there are public lands for 
sale, after they are surveyed and mapped, they are divided into 
districts—two, three or four, in each State and Territory—as 
convenience and economy may dictate. In each district a land 
office is established for the sale of the lands in said district. 

LIGHT HOUSE DISTRICTS. 

8. Again, the whole of our sea coasts, both on the Atlantic 
and Pacific oceans, together with the shores of the navigable 
lakes and rivers, are dirided into twelve light house districts 
^or their number must not exceed that,) for the puqjose of 
building, repairing, illuminating and superintending the light 
houses on all the coasts and shores wherever located. These 
are the principal divisions we have to notice. It is important 
to have a knowledge of them, for with such knowledge we can 
better understand how government affairs are conducted. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


CHRONOLOGY OF THE D. S. FROM 1783 TO 1812. 

1783. 

Washington’s army had lain in camp at Nevvbnrg, N. li.., since the 
surrender of Cornwallis. The Preliminary treaty of peace was signed Jan. 
20th, at Paris; but it was not otRciall}" announced in the camp at New- 
burg, until April 19th; just eight years from the Battle of Lexington that 
commenced it! 

July, —Congress prepared to disband the army, and Washington to resign 
his commission as Commander-in-Chief. 

“ 21—The great difficulty Congress had to contend with was raising 
money to pay the troops. Congress had no authority, under the 
Confederation, to lay taxes or impose duties. It exhausted its 
own credit in the issue of paper money which soon became of 
little value. It made some foreign loans, and persuaded the States, 
which alone could lay taxes, to raise a small sum. But this did 
not suffice to pay the army at last. There was much suffering and 
discontent. 

On this day a body of soldiers, in large part new recruits, who 
had comparatively little to complain of, without muskets, but 
wearing side arms, beset the doors of Congress in Philadelphia, 
for three hours. No violence was offered. Congress adjourned 
to Princeton, N. J. 

Rept. 3—The final and definite Treaty of Peace betw^een England, France, 
and the United States, in which the independence of the latter was 
acknowledged, its boundaries defined,. and various matters of 
interest arranged to the profit of the United States, was signed at 
Paris. 

Nov. 2—A proclamation is issued by Congress for disbanding the army. 

“ 25—The British troops evacuate New York, and it is occupied by 
American troops under Gen. Knox. 

Dec. 4—Long Island and Staten Island abandoned b}' the British. Wash¬ 
ington takes leave of his officers, at New Y'ork. 

“ 25—He resigns his commission to Congress, in a public audience, 
given him at Annapolis, Md., where Congress was then sitting, and 
goes home to Mt. Vernon. 

CiEsar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died 
this year. 

1784. 

The w'ant of public credit was very much felt. There was no authority 
sufficient to raise money to meet the interest, even, on the debt; and this 
produced great distress. 


( 512 ) 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


513 


Nov. 1—The Continental Congress meets at Trenton, N. J. Richard Henry 
Lee, of Va., is chosen President. 

Oct. 4—A treaty with the Six Nations, who had sided with the British 
during the war, was made at Ft. Schuyler (formerly Ft. Stanwix— 
now Utica, N. Y.). 

Commerce begins to revive. Reciprocity treaties were made, and 
trade with eastern Asia commenced this year by a voyage to China, 
from New York. 

1785. 

Jan. —Congress adjourns to New York, where it continued to liold its 
sessions for some years. 

Mar. 10—Thomas Jefferson appointed to fill the place of Franklin, as Min¬ 
ister to France; Franklin wishes to return home. He had been 
there nine years. 

July —Commercial treaties negotiated with Prussia, Denmark, Portugal, 
and Tuscany. 

The treaty with Prussia stipulated that, in case of war between 
that country and the United States, there should be no privateering. 

“ 13—Stephen Hopkins, of R. I., a signer of the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence, died. 

“ 28—Wm. Whipple, of N. H., a signer of the Declaration of Independ¬ 
ence, died. 

“ “ —Treaties made with the Cherokees, (fiioctaws, and Chickasaws. 

1786. 

Financial troubles were now approaching a crisis. In 1784-5 the impor¬ 
tations from England had amounted to $30,000,000. The exportations to 
only $9,000,000. Paper money was depreciated so much as to be of little 
value. Debt oppressed government and people; want of vigorous author¬ 
ity was everywhere felt; and many disorders in Tennessee, Kentucky and 
elsewhere, begin to threaten the internal peace of the country. 

June 19—Gen. Nathaniel Greene, an able commander in the Revolutionary 
armies, died. He manouvered against Cornwallis in North and 
South Carolina with great ability. 

Dec. 5—Shay’s Rebellion broke out in Mass. That State wished to raise 
money to aid Congress in paying the interest on the federal debt. 
The people felt unable to pay it. They mobbed the courts but 
were dispersed by troops under Gen. Lincoln. Three were killed 
and one wounded, in an attack the insurgents made on an arsenal. 
There was little other fighting. Fourteen persons were tried and 
condemned to death but afterwards pardoned. 

1787. 

These and other events convinced the people that an important change 
in the government was necessary. It became clear that a vigon)us central 
authority, alone, could answer the purpose. The States were nearly inde- 

33 


514 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


pendent of each other; hut this produced conflicts and want of harmony, 
which nearly ruined them all. 

A congress of deputies to consider commercial questions, called by Va. 
had, in Sept., 1786, recommended a convention to revise the Articles of 
Confederation. 

Feb. 2—The Continental Congress assembled, electing Gen. St. Clair, Pres¬ 
ident. 

“ 12—Congress approves the call for a Constitutional Convention. 

May 25—The convention assembled in Philadelphia, and elected Gen. Geo. 
Washington, President. 

July 11—The Continental Congress organize the Northwest Territory— 
north of the Ohio river. Preparations were immediately made 
for settling it. 

Sept. 28—The Constitution, as signed by the members of the convention, 
laid before Congress, which sends it to the State Legislatures for 
approval. 

Arthur Middleton of S. C., and Thomas Stone of Md. signers of 
the Declaration of Independence, died, Jan. 1st and Oct. 5th, 
respectively. 

Dec. 7—Delaware ratifies the Constitution. 

“ 12—Pennsylvania accepts the Constitution. t 

1788. 

July 4—The anniversary of Independence is kept with great display, in 
Philadelphia, in special honor of the adoption of th3 new Con¬ 
stitution. 

By the close of July nine more States had ratified the Constitu¬ 
tion, and it went into operation.' 

Sept. 13—Congress selects the first Wednesday of Jan. (1789) for the 
appointment of Presidential electors; the first Wednesday in 
February for their appointment of President and Vice-President; 
and March 4th (the first Wednesday that month) for the new gov¬ 
ernment to go into operation. 

1789. 

Jan. 4—Tliomas Nelson, of Va., signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
died. 

Feb. 13—Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fiime, died. 

April 30—Washington inaugurated as first President. 

May 12—A Tarift’ Bill for raising a revenue rei)orted in Congress. This 
became a law, and went into effect Aug. 1st, 1789. 

‘ 20—The Department of Foreign Affairs (afterwards called State 
Department,) organized. 

The Treasury Department is next established, followed by the War 
Department, to which the Navy was joined for the present. 

The Judiciary was then constituted. Salaries, and the rules for 
parliamentary procedure were determined. The Postmaster gen- 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


515 


eral had long been an officer of the government, and required less 
change than most of the others. This made a very busy session. 
Congress also passed a resolution to add ten amendments to the 
Constitution—which were submitted to the States and afterward 
ratified. Congress adjourned the last of September. 

1 he democratic tone of the government, and the spirit applied to 
the interpretation of the Constitution by the first Congress, has 
generally prevailed ever since. That tone and spirit were truly 
republican. 

Nov. 8—The President made a tour through New England. 

North Carolina ratified the Constitution. 

Many Indian treaties were made this year. 

1790. 

Jan. 8—Congress reassembled. This session was scarcely inferior in inter¬ 
est and importance to the first from the variety of new questions 
required to be settled, and the more perfect development given to 
former ones. 

Feb. 8—Provision was made for payment of the foreign debt. 

Mar. 1—An act ordering a census to be taken was passed. 

“ 24—A naturalization law was originated. 

Apr. 15—A patent law was constructed. 

“ JO—Treason was defined and the penalty determined on. 

May 29—The Constitution ratified by Rhode Island; making* up the whole 
number of thirteen States. 

“ 31—“An act to encourage learning” secured copyrights to authors. 

July 16—Three very exciting debates that had occupied much of the time 
of Congress, had a bearing on the location of the National Capital, 
which was this day permanently settled. The President was 
authorized to determine the site on the Potomac, and have the 
buildings erected so as to be ready for occupation in 1800. Agreea¬ 
bly to this act Maryland and Virginia ceded the District of Colum¬ 
bia to the United States. 

Gen. Putnam, a brave Revolutionary soldier, Benjamin Franklin, 
of Pa., Wm. Hooper, of N. C., and Francis Hopkinson, of N. J., 
all except Putnam signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
died this year. 

The Territory South of the Ohio was organized this year. The 
financial system of the country was established, the slavery ques¬ 
tion debated and settled in accordance with the compromise of the 
Constitution, and the State debts transferred to the United States. 

Aug. 12—Congress adjourned to meet next in Philadelphia and thereafter 
until 1800. 

“ 13—A treaty with the Creek Indians solemnly ratified by Washington. 


516 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


Dec. 6—The Third Session of Congress commenced. The President con¬ 
gratulates Congress on the improvement of the finances, and the 
prosperity of the country. 

1791. 

Del). —The United States Bank established. It was to have a capital of 
$10,000,000—its charter to run twenty years. 

“ 4—Kentucky voted admission into the Union in the next year (Jan. 

1st, 1792). 

“ 18—Vermont having (Jan. 20th) ratified the Constitution and asked 

admission into the Union, it is granted this day. 

The immediate prosperity that followed the adoption of the Con¬ 
stitution of 1787, the strength, vigor, and moderation seen to be 
combined in its arrangement of the government, led most of the 
States to remodel their State Constitutions on it, in a short time. 

July, —The subscription to the stock of the National Bank is all taken in 
a few hours after the books are opened. 

Aug. —Great Britain first sends a minister to the United States Govern¬ 
ment. 

Sep.l7—An expedition of 2,000 troops, under Gen. St. Clair, starts from 
Ft. Washington against the Indians in the Northwest Territory. 

Nov. 4—Gen. St. Clair is surprised and defeated by the Indians. There 
were 600 killed — the whole loss amounted to upward of 900. 
Several other smaller expeditions had been sent against the Indians 
in the course of the year. One, Gen. Harmer’s,had been defeated. 
Internal taxes on spirits were first commenced this year. 

Benj. Harrison, of Va., a signer of the Declaration of Independ¬ 
ence, died this year. • A voyage around the world, by way of Ore¬ 
gon, China,-and the Cape of Good Hope, had opened wide fields 
to commerce. The first census was now completed. The Second 
Congress, assembled at Philadelphia, Oct. 24, was occupied in 
arranging the new ratio of Bepresentatives. It was a very diffi¬ 
cult matter to settle from the sectional struggles that entered into 
the cpiestion. 

1792. 

Feb.16—A bounty for fishing vessels provided. 

“ 20—The Post Office Department reorganized. 

A])!*. 2—The establishment and regulations of the U. S. Mint are embodied 
in a law. 

“ 14—Act apportioning Representatives passed. This gave the next 
House of Representatives in Congress 105 members. 

Ma}' 8—Laws organizing the Militia are passed. 

Dec. 8—Henry Laurens, first President of the Continental Congress, died. 
The second presidential election this year resulted in the re-elec¬ 
tion of Washington and Adams. Washington received all the 
electoral votes — the anti-federalists opposing onlj'^ Mr. Adams, 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


517 


whose electoral vote was 77, the candidate of the opposition 
receiving 50. Much seditious opposition was made in North 
Carolina and Pennsylvania to the excise law, — the tax on spirits. 
The President issued a proclamation against them, Sept. 29th. 

1793. 

Jan. 24—The proclamfition of the French Republic is greeted in Boston 
with a celebration in its honor. The close and friendly relations 
of the United States with France, arising from their aid to us in 
the Revolutionary War, led the French minister. Genet, to a course 
of conduct inconsistent with the existence of our friendly rela¬ 
tions with England. The U. S. Government decided to proclaim 
neutrality—the people sympathized strongly with France. Wash¬ 
ington and his cabinet pursued a strict neutral course, in which 
the people finally acquiesced, and Genet’s recall was solicited and 
obtained, 

Feb. 12—A Fugitive Slave law passed. 

July 23—Roger Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, died. 

Oct. 8—John Hancock, of Mass., the first signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, died. This year laid the foundation of the policy 
of neutrality or non-interference with the European wars, that 
became the settled policy of the United States. 

The year was also distinguished by the violence of party 
feeling. 

Dec, 2—Congress assembles at Philadelphia. 

“ 31—Jefterson resigns his seat in the Cabinet. He was Secretary ot 
State. 

1794. 

Mar. 11—An act is passed for building four ships of war, which laid the 
foundation of our present navy. 

Some hostile English “ Orders in Council ” led to arrangements for 
fortifying the harbors of the country, 
u 32—The Slave trade is regulated by law, no American vessel being 
allowed to supply slaves to another nation. The importation of 
slaves into this country had been allowed until the year 1808, by 
Art. 1st, Sec. 9th, of the Constitution. 

“ 36—As a retaliation on the British “ Orders in Council ” for seizing 

all goods going to France in American vessels, an cmbaigo 
was laid on all shipping which was continued 60 days. This 
stopped all commerce for the present. 

.Tune 5—A law relating to neutrality passed in Congress. 

u ;[9—Richard Henry Lee, of Va., died; Abraham Clark, of N, J., and 
John Witherspoon, of N. J., later, all signers of the Declaration 
of Independance, died. 

July 16—An insurrection breaks out against the excise law in western 
Pennsylvania, by an armed attack on the oflicers of the law. An 


518 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


army of 15,000 men was raised and marched into that regibn, the 
appearance of wliich immediately restored order, 

Aug. 20—Gen. Wayne inflicts a thorough chastisement on the Indians of 
Ohio, on the Maumee river. 

Nov. 4—Congress again assembles. 

“ 28—Baron Steuben, a German, who had done ms great service as an 
officer in the Bevolutionary war, died, aged 61, 

1795. 

This year a commercial treaty was negotiated with England, which was 
the cause of violent demonstrations of the two parties. Only the firmness 
and moderation of Washington and his supporters saved the country from 
war with that power. 

Jan. 23—Gen. Sullivan died. He had been an able Maj. Gen. in the Revo¬ 
lutionary war. 

“ 29—A more stringent naturalization law passes. 

May 19—Josiah Bartlett, of N. H., signer of the Declaration of Independ¬ 
ence, died. 

Aug. 3—A Treaty with the Northwestern Indians concluded, which closed 
the Indian war. 

Sept. 5—A treaty is concluded with Algiers, which closed a war with those 
pirates, whose attacks had been so disastrous to our commerce. 
Oct. 20—A treaty of boundaries, and which opened the Mississippi to nav¬ 
igation, is concluded with Spain. 

Dec. 7—The fourth Congress meets. 

1796. 

March 24—The U. S. House of Representatives require the President to 
send them the papers relating to the British treaty. The Presi¬ 
dent declines, denying that they form part of the treaty making 
power. 

April 30—The exciting struggle on the British treaty is closed, by a provi. 
sion made by the House of Representatives for carrying it into 
effect. 

June 1—An act is passed admitting Tennessee into the Union. 

“ 29—A new treaty is made with the Creek Indians, and the Southern, 
as well as the Northern Indians, are pacified. 

Sept. 19—Washington’s Farewell address is issued, to let the people know 
that he would not accept office again. A presidential election 
was held this autumn, in which John Adams was elected President. 
Serious difficulties began to rise with France, which took great 
offense at the treaty with Great Britain, 

1797. 

Feb. 3—Mr. Pinckney, American Minister to France, was refused a recep¬ 
tion, by the French government, and obliged this day to leave the 
country. Much violence was done about this time, to American 
commerce, by the French. 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


519 


Mar. 4^Jolin Adams is inaugurated President of the United States. 

“ 25—A special session of Congress is called to consider the threatening 
l)osture of our relations with France. 

June 14—Congress imposed a fine of $10,000 and ten years imprisonment 
on any American who should engage in privateering, in any way, 
against a nation with whom we were at peace. 

July 3—The President transmits to Congress information of Spanish 
troubles on the southern and western frontier. These were after¬ 
wards discovered to have aimed at detaching the Mississippi and 
Ohio valleys from the United States, and erecting them into an 
independent power, in close alliance with Spain. 

Two new envoys are sent to France. These envoys spent many 
months in Paris, treated with insolence and neglect. 

In this year Francis L. Lee, of Va., Carter Braxton, of Va., and 
Oliver Wolcott, of Conn., signers of the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence, died. 

1798. 

The French government continues to labor to draw the United States 
into a war with them against England. Tw^o of the three Commissioners 
are required to leave France. 

April 3—The Mississippi Territory organized. 

“ 14—The navy is taken from the control of the Secretary of War, and 
a Navy Department with a Secretary, organized. 

June 12—All commercial intercourse with France suspended. In antici¬ 
pation of war the naturalization law is amended; an “Alien Act ” 
passed; and the navy and army largely strengthened. 

“ 21—The President announces the failure of the Commissioners sent 

to France, to make peace. 

July 8—A limited naval warfare with France is authorized, and several 
U. S. vessels of war go to sea. 

“ 10—An additional naval armament provided for. 

“ 17—Washington accepts the appointment of Commander-in-Chief of 
the Army, which is being raised in expectation of war. 

“ —About this time some 365 armed vessels had been commissioned 

by the U. S. government, besides the regular navy, to make w'ar 
on the armed vessels of France. This armament w^as, how^ever^ 
chiefly used for defense. 

Lewis Morris, of N. Y., James Wilson, of Pa., and Geo. Bead, of 
Del., signers of the Declaration of Independence, died this year. 

1799. 

At the commencement of this year Congress provided for the raising of 
an army of 40,000 men. 

Feb. 18—By invitation of the French government, the President nom¬ 
inates another embassy to France. 


620 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


Feb. 7—The French frigate ITnsurgente captured in the West Indies by 
the U. S. frigate Constellation. 

April —The Legislature of New York abolishes Slavery in that State. 

Dec. 14—Gen. Washington’s death, in the 68th year of his age. 

Win. Paca, of Md., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
died this year. 

A change in the government of France, and the vigorous action 
of the U. S. government in arming for war, induced the French to 
retreat from their unfriendly position and offer to arrange the 
difference. The refusal of our government to entangle themselves 
with European politics became a settled principle, of great value 
to us; though it was strongly opposed by the Anti-Federalists. 

1800. 

Jan. 26—Edward Rutledge, of S. C., signer of Dec, of Ind. died. 

Feb. 1—The U. S. frigate Constellation beats without capturing the French 
frigate La Vengeance. 

April 4—General bankruptcy law passed by Congress. 

May 7—The Territoiy of Indiana organized by act of Congress. 

“ 10—An act authorizing the election of a Territorial Assembly in the 
Territory of Mississippi, organized some years before, was passed. 

Jiilj^—The government is moved to the new capital at Washington. 

Oct. 1—The envoys to France arrange a convention, or temporary treaty, 
which prevents the formal outbreak of war, though it had long 
continued to be waged on the sea. More than 50 vessels had been 
captured from tlie French this year. The gratitude of Americans 
to France for her aid, formerly, made a large part of the people 
very unwilling to declare war; but her arrogant demands and war 
on our commerce had the good effect to separate the country from 
all close alliances in Europe. 

Nov.—The fourth presidential election resulted in the defeat of the Feder¬ 
alist party, by the election of Thomas Jefferson as President. Its 
opponent, the anti-federalist, or Republican party, feared a strong 
central government; yet when they came into power they adopted 
the same policy. Any other policy would have ruined the 
country. 

1801. 

Feb. 16—The Convention with France, to remain in force eight years, 
ratified. 

Mar. 6—The Sixth Congress terminates, and with it the administration of 
President Adams. 

“ 4—Jefferson inaugurated President. The trial of the Constitution 
was now past. It was permanently settled in the respect of the 
people, and had made the country respected by other nations. 
The “Sedition Laws” passed in July, 1708,became inoperative at 
this time, by the provision accompanying them. They had been 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


521 


framed for the suppression of dangerous political intrigues in time 
of war. Party spirit was exceedingly bitter at this time, and 
these laws produced much excitement, but contributed to the safety 
of the government. 

June 10—The Bashaof Tripoli declares war on the United States. 

“ 14—Benedict Arnold died in London. 

Aug. 6—The U. S. vessel of war Experiment, captures a Tripolitan vessel in 
the Mediterranean sea. 

Dec. 7—The Seventh Congress assembles. The reaction, at this time, in 
public sentiment, produced by the French Revolution, the excesses 
of which resulted in a military despotism under Napoleon Bona¬ 
parte, infused a spirit of moderation and caution into the politics 
of the United States under the new party now in poAver, that was 
highly beneficial. Extreme views were checked, and no serious 
change was made in the general policy of the country, 

1802. 

Jan. 4—The reapportionment of Representatives in Congress by the census 
of 1800, was made. No change in the number of inhabitants to 
one Representative (one to every 33,000) was introduced. The 
foundation of a Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., was laid 
at this time. 

April 14—The Naturalization Laws, made very stringent in the last admin¬ 
istration to correspond with a state of war, were liberalized, 

April 30—An act authorizing the formation of a State Constitution in Ohio, 
preparatory to its admission into the Union, is passed. 

May 3—Washington, D. C., incorporated as a city. 

Oct. 16—Commerce on the Mississippi by American citizens, suspended 
by the Spanish authorities at New Orleans. 

It became evident that the possession of the Mississippi River and 
territory near it was of the highest importance to the welfare of 
the West, and measures looking toward the acquisition of it began 
to be taken. 

A large reduction was made this year in the public debt, and the 
policy of economy in public expenditure became a leading feature 
of the adminislration. 

1803. 

March 3—The anxiety of the people in regard to the navigation of the 
Mississippi leads Congress to invest the President with extraordi¬ 
nary authority to negotiate, or use force, in his discretion. He 
Avas authorized to call on the States to furnish 80,000 men, if 
need be. 

April 30—A treaty is concluded Avith Napoleon Bonaparte for the purchase 
of the Avhole of the Louisiana Territory for $15,000,000. 

Aug. 13—By a treaty Avith the Kaskaskia Indians a large part of Illinois is 
opened to settlement. 


522 HISTOKY OF THE UNITP:D STATES. 

Oct. 31—The U. S. frigate Pliiladelpliia ran on a sunken rock in the harbor 
of Tripoli, and was captured. The American fleet had captured 
or destroyed several Tripolitan vessels of war during the summer. 
Dec. 20—The President takes possession of Louisiana. 

1804. 

ji'eb. 2—Geo. Walton, of Geo., signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
died. 

“ 15—New Jersey passes a law freeing all the slaves born in the 

State after the next 4th of July. 

“ 16—Lieut. Decatur, of the U. S. Navy, ran into the harbor of Tripoli 
in the night and burned the Philadelphia—captured by the Tri¬ 
politans, some time before. This done he withdrew in safety, in 
the sloop he had employed for the bold enterprise. 

July 11—Alexander Hamilton, an eminent statesman, was killed in a duel 
• with Aaron Burr, Vice-President of the United States. He was 
48 years old and his death was considered as a public calamity. 
Aug. 3—Com. Preble attacks Tripoli, sinks two vessels, captures three 
more, and bombards the city. 

The city was blockaded during the remainder of the year and 
through the winter. 

Nov. 18—Gen. Philip Schuyler died at Albany, N. Y. 

Jefierson was re-elected President in this month. 

1805. 

Great commercial prosperity marked this period. France and England 
were at war and most of the carrying trade fell to American vessels. The 
peaceful acquisition of Louisiana, and the prosperity of the west in con¬ 
sequence, contributed much to the development of the country. The 
grand era of progress in the United States began to dawn, though overcast 
by threatening difficulties with Spain and England. 

March—Chief Justice Chase having been impeached by the House of Rep¬ 
resentatives, was acquitted by the Senate. 

“ 4—Jefferson’s second inauguration as President. 

June 3—A treaty of peace made with Tripoli. 

A Territorial Legislature is authorized in the Territory of Orleans, 
and the Territory of Louisiana organized.' 

June 11—The Territory of Michigan is organized. It was very thinly 
settled, but separated by so great a distance from the inhabited 
parts of Indiana Territory as to require a separate government. 
July 4—Large cessions of land are obtained, by treaty and purchase, from 
the Indians. Most of their lands in Ohio, Indiana, and along the 
Ohio River were acquired in an equitable manner. Large ces¬ 
sions are obtained this year from the Creeks and Cherokees, who 
received a fair equivalent. 

Sept. 12—Wm. Moultrie, a distinguished Revolutionary soldier, died. 

Measures are set on foot to purchase Florida from the Spaniards. 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 523 


There seemed no alternative but such a purchase or a war. Diffi¬ 
culties with England began to increase. Several American ves¬ 
sels with valuable cargoes are seized by the British. 

1806. 

Jan. 16 Two million dollars are voted that the President may commence 
negotiations with Spain for Florida. The British continue to vio¬ 
late our flag by impressing seamen on our vessels. 

March 36—A retaliatory law was enacted by Congress forbidding the 
importation of certain English goods, to take effect in November in 
order to give time for negotiation. Provision was also made for 
increasing the army and navy. 

The summer of this year was disturbed, in the west, by rumors of 
a design to separate the Louisiana Territory and Western States 
from the Union, by the establishment of an independent govern¬ 
ment. 

Apr. 10—Gen. Horatio Gates, an officer of the Revolution, died. 

Dec. —The session of Congress commencing the first of this month was 
largely occupied with a law forbidding the slave trade after 1808. 
There was much violent debate but the law was enacted early in 
the next year. 

Robt. Morris, of Pa., on the 8th of May; Geo. Wythe, of Va., on 
the 8th of June; James Smith, of Pa., on the 11th of July, signers 
of the Declaration of Independence; and Gen. Henry Knox, an 
officer of the Revolution, on the 25th of Oct.‘, died. Gen. Knox 
was Secretary of War during Washington’s administration. 

1807. 

Feb. 10—An act for commencing the Coast Survey, and appropriating 
$50,000 for that purpose, is passed. 

The English had defeated and almost annihilated the French 
and Spanish navies, and became very tyrannical toward neutral 
nations, which begins to injure our commerce. Bonaparte retal¬ 
iates in the same spirit which doubles the difficulty. 

Mar. 18—A treaty made by American ambassadors with England was 
rejected by our government because the British refused to allow 
that British born citizens could become American citizens ])y 
naturalization. These the English government claimed the right 
of impressing from our vessels, which we denied. 

June 33—A British ship of war, the Leopard, fires into the American frigate 
Chesapeake while unprepared to resist, and took several men from 
her. Three Americans were killed, and eighteen wa)unded. It 
greatly exasperated the Americans. 

July 3—The President ordered all English ships of war to leave American 
waters. 

Aug. 35—Com. Preble, of the U. S. navy, dietl. 

Sept. 15—Aaron Burr tried for treason, (he was the leader of the conspiracy 


524 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


believed to have endeavored to detach the Mississippi Valley 
from the Union,) was acquitted for want of evidence, though gen¬ 
erally believed guilty. 

Nov. 26—Oliver Ellsworth, U. S. Chief Justice, died. 

Dec. 17—Bonaparte’s “Milan Decree ” subjects American commercial ves¬ 
sels to seizure. 

“ 22—This and like British “Orders in Council” caused Congress to lay 
an embargo, forbidding any vessels to sail from our ports. 

1808. 

Jan. 1—The act of Congress, passed in the previous session, to carry out 
the provision of the Constitution to abolish the slave trade at this 
time, goes into effect to-day. 

Apr. 17—Bonaparte orders the seizure and confiscation of all American 
vessels in France, or that should afterwards arrive there. 

Nov. 7—The tenth Congress assembles again. Much discussion is had 
over the embargo, but it is finally determined to make it still 
more stringent and place the country in a state of defense. 

“ —A presidential election this month results in the choice of James 

Madison for the next term. He was a republican, or democrat, in 
politics. 

1809. 

Jan. 9—An act is passed “ more effectually to enforce the embargo.” 

Feb. 8—Illinois organized under a Territorial Government. 

“ 27—The embargo is partially repealed. 

Mar. 3—The Tenth Congress closes, at the same time as the Administra¬ 
tion of Jefierson. Madison was inaugurated the next day. lie 
served two terms. A war with Great Britain was commenced in 
his first, and ended in his second term. 

“ 9—Thos. Haywood, of S. C., signer of the Declaration of Independ¬ 

ence, died. 

Aj)r. 19—An arrangement of the difficulties with England concluded with 
the British Minister, Erskine, and, in the expectation of perman¬ 
ent peace, the Embargo and Non-intercourse acts cease by proc¬ 
lamation of the President. 

May 22—An extra session of of the eleventh Congress meets. 

July 20—News arrives of the rejection by the English government of the 
Erskine treaty. 

Aug. 9—The President forbids, by proclamation, all intercourse with Great 
Britain and France. 

Nov. 8—A new English minister having been sent, his arrogant tone causes 
the U. S. government to decline further intercourse with him. 

1810. 

Mar. 23—Bonaparte orders the sale and confiscation of 132 American ves¬ 
sels (detained in France by previous decree) and their cargoes, 
and the same confiscation is ordered of all American vessels after- 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


525 


ward entering French ports. The 132 vessels and their cargoes 
were worth $8,000,000. 

Ang. 5—The French government announces the revocation of their confis¬ 
cation act, to take effect Nov. 1. A deadly struggle had been, for 
many years, going on between Napolean Bonaparte and England. 
This hostility of France to American commerce was in retaliation 
of the British “ Orders in Council ” against neutral commerce 
irading with France. England had nearly destroyed the French 
navy and considered herself mistress of the seas. She wished to 
reduce American commerce to the condition of colonial times, 
which, with impressment of seamen, was the cause of the present 
struggle. Our commerce was constantly growing, our people 
spirited, and resolved to have their rights and Flag respected. 

1811. 

Feb. 26—An act passed establishing naval hospitals. 

May 16—The American frigate President, and the British sloop of war 
Little Belt, fire into each other. The Little Belt is disabled. This 
was a retaliation of the firing of the British ship Leopard on the 
American Chesapeake, four years before, and also of the capture of 
an American mercliantman bound to France, ofi" New York, by a 
British vessel about this time. Several instances of impressment, 
by the British, from American vessels, had lately occurred, and 
there was a feeling of great exasperation toward England. The 
English government had not yet made any atonement for the attack 
on the Chesapeake. 

June 1—Gen. Eaton, prominent in the war with Tripoli, died. 

“ 19—Samuel Chase, Chief Justice of the U. S., died. 

Aug. 2—Wm. Williams, of Conn., died. The two last were signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. 

The relief of American commerce from outrages by the French 
proved delusive, and many grievous wrongs are sulFered this year. 

Nov. 7—Two twin brothers of the Shawanese tribe of Indians (Tecumseh 
and the Prophet) had been for some years engaged in forming a 
conspiracy among a large number of Indian tribes on the North¬ 
western frontier to exterminate the whites. Gen. Harrison’s army 
is attacked by the Indians this day, at Tippecanoe. They are 
defeated by Gen. Harrison. 

p)ee 2—The ratio of Representation is revised on the census of 1800, and 
fixed at 35,000. 

1812. 

Jan. —Various acts are passed for putting the army and navy in a condi¬ 
tion for war. 

A])!’. 4—An embargo is laid on American shipping, by act of Congress. 

“ g—Louisiana admitted into the Union as a State. 

“ OQ_Geo. Clinton, Vice-President of the United States, died. 


526 


THE WAR OF 1812 . 


June 4—Tlie Territory of Missouri organized. 

“ 23—The British government repeal the obnoxious “ Orders in Council,” 
but refuse to give up the right of search and impressment on 
American vessels. The American government refuses to be satis¬ 
fied with this; besides, it had already declared war, June 18th. 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE WAE OF 1812 . 

We have stated in connection with the appropriate events, the causes of 
this war which had accumulated during the last five years at a rapid rate. 
The seizure and captures of American vessels by Great Britain amounted 
to 917; by France to 558. Upwards of 6,000 cases of impressments were 
recorded in the American Department of State; and in all these our Flag 
liad been violated. It was estimated that about as many more had been 
made, of which no official information had been received. The Ameri¬ 
cans were averse to war and had long borne these injuries in the hope 
tliat a settlement might be reached by negotiation; but they insisted on 
the inviolability of our Flag, and the right‘of naturalization. On the 
commencement of hostilities 2,500 of these impressed sailors, claiming to 
be American citizens, refused to figlit against America, and were impris¬ 
oned by the English government, where most of them were kept to the 
close of the war. 

Aug. 24—The English government, however, had the magnanimity, when 
news arrived of the Declaration of War by the United States, to 
allow all American vessels then in their ports six weeks to dis¬ 
pose of their lading and to depart undisturbed. 

The great success of the war on the American side was on the 
sea, where it was much more seriously detrimental and mortifying 
to the English than victories on the land would have been. The 
land forces were generally inefficiently conducted, though the 
close of the war was signalized by the victory of Gen. Jackson, at 
New Orleans, •which was extremely gratif 3 dng to American pride. 
July 12—Gen. Hull, with 1,800 troops, invades Canada. 

Aug. 8—After various mishaps, Hull retreats to Detroit. 

” 9—Col. Miller defeats Tecumseh and a body of British troops at 

Maguaga. 

” 15—Ft. Dearborn (now Chicago) was abandoned by its small garrison, 
by the orders of Hull. During their retreat they were attacked, 
and most of them massacred by the Indians. 

” 16—Gen. Hull surrendered Detroit and all the military forces and 
stores in tlie territory to the British. He was afterward sentenced 



THE WAR OF 1812 . 527 

to death by a court-martial, but pardoned by the president, though 
degraded from all military command. 

“ 19—^The U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull, does great honor to the 
American arms by the capture of the English frigate Guerriere. 
This vessel had challenged the American vessels in a contemptu¬ 
ous way. She had 79 killed and wounded, the Constitution only 
13. There were 10 impressed American seamen on the Guerriere. 
Sept. 7—The U. S. frigate Essex captures the Alert in 8 minutes. 

Oct. 13—In another invasion of Canada by Gen. Van Rensselaer, though 
much gallantry -was displayed, an unexpected British reinforce- 
ment obliged the surrender of 700 men after 160 had been killed 
and wounded. 

“ 18—The U. S. sloop of war Wasp captures the British sloop of war 
Frolic, which was the strongest vessel. The Frolic had 100 killed 
and wounded, the Wasp but 10. Both were captured by a British 
74 pounder the same day. 

“ 25—Capt. Decatur, of the frigate United States, captures the Macedo¬ 
nian, a British frigate. British loss 104, American only 7. 

Nov. 22—The U. S. brig Vixen is captured by the English frigate South¬ 
ampton. Both were afterward shipwrecked. 

A presidential election in this month secured the re-election of 
Madison. 

Dec. 29—The U. S. frigate Constitution, Commodore Bainbridge, captures 
the British frigate Java, off the coast of Brazil. American loss 
44, British 151'. These naval victories with so little loss produced 
much exultation in America, and much surprise and mortifica¬ 
tion in England. The Americans were able seamen, and had 
long burned to avenge the insults and contempt of the English 
navy. Americans are capable of extraordinary vigor when thor¬ 
oughly aroused. The operations on land had been much interfered 
with by the strenuous and almost treasonable opposition of the 
anti-war party, and this continued to be an embarrassment during 
nearly its whole course. The general disfavor with which this 
violent opposition was regarded, however, and the sympathy felt 
for the President, so embarrassed, procured his re-election. 

1813. 

Military operations this year were, in part, more creditable and encour¬ 
aging. The regular force amounted to about 55,000 men; an act had been 
passed authorizing the construction of four 74 gun ships, and six forty- 
fours ; and for an increase of the navy on the lakes. 

Jan. 22—A disastrous enterprise at Frenchtown (now Monroe, Mich.) 

re.sults in the loss of nearly 900 American troops under* Win¬ 
chester. The wounded were left by Gen. Proctor, tlio British 
commander, to be massacred by the Indians. 


528 


THE WAR OF 1812. 


“ 28—Geo, Clymer, of Pa., signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
died. 

“ 26—An act of Congress authorizes the President to borrow $16,000,000. 

“ 27—He is authorized to issue Treasury notes to tlie amount of 
$5,000,000. 

Feb. 24—The Hornet captures the British brig Peacock, on the coast of 
South America, 

The Delaware and Chesapeake bays are blockaded by the British 
about this time. 

Mar. 4—Madison is inaugurated for his second term. 

“ 8—^The emperor of Russia having offered his services as mediator 

between the United States and England, the President appoints 
commissioners to treat for peace. 

Apr. 10—The British attack Lewiston, Del., but are repulsed after having 
bombarded it several days. 

“ 27—Americans under Gen. Pike, capture York, Upper Canada, with 

a large quantity of stores. Gen. Pike is killed. 

Ma}' 1—The British Gen. Proctor besieges Gen, Harrison in Port Meigs. 

“ 5—Gen. Clay coming to his assistance Proctor retreats. Col. Dudley, 

making a sortie from Ft. Meigs, is drawn into an ambuscade and 
loses 650 men. He is himself mortally wounded. 

The British Admiral Cockburn barbarously ravages the shores of 
Chesapeake bay. 

“ 27—Ft. George, at Niagara, surrenders to the Americans, and Sir Geo. 
Prevost is repulsed from Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., by Gen. Brown. 

.Tune 1—The U. S. frigate Chesapeake captured by the British frigate 
Shannon. American loss 133; British loss about half as man 3 ^ 
Capt. Lawrence of the Chesapeake is mortally wounded. 

“ 6—Gens. Chandler and Winder surprised in the night b^' the eneni}' 

they were going to attack. The two generals are taken prisoners, 
but their troops repulse the enemj^ and retire. 

“ 28—Col. Boerstler, in command of an American force of 600 men, is 
surrounded by a superior force at Beaver Dams and compelled to 
surrender. 

“ 25—Admiral Cockburn, failing in his attack on the American forces 
at Craney Island, Va., lands at Hampton and commits many out¬ 
rages. 

July 81—American Com. Chauncy lands at York, U. C., captures and 
destroys stores, and the British do the same at Plattsburg, on lake 
Champlain. 

Aug. 2—Gen. Proctor with 1,000 British and Indians attacks Col, Croghan 
with 160 men, at Ft. Stephenson, Lower Sanduskjq O., and is 
repulsed with a loss of 150. 

About this time the American frigate Essex, Capt. Porter, cruising 
in the Pacific ocean, captured 12 armed British whalers. 


THE WAK OF 1812 . 


529 


“ 13—The American sloop-of-war Argus, cruising in the English Chan¬ 
nel, captured 21 British merchantmen, but was herself captured 
by the Pelican after a severe engagement. 

“ 30—Tecumseh had stirred up the Creek Indians to war, and the}'- 
attacked Ft. Mims, which they set on lire and captured, massa- 
creing all but 20 out of 400 men, women and children. 

Sept. 3—The American brig Enterprise captures the Boxer on the coast of 
Maine. 

“ 10—Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. He captures the whole fleet (6 
vessels) of the enemy. His laconic dispatch to Gen. Harrison was, 
“ We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” 

Oct. 5—Battle of the Thames (Upper Canada). Gen. Harrison, command¬ 
ing the Americans, defeated the British and Indians, under Gen. 
Proctor and Tecumseh. The latter was slain. The British lost 
about 600 in killed, wounded and prisoners; the Americans 17 
killed and 30 wounded. 

“ “ Commodore Chauncy captures 5 British vessels on Lake Ontario. 

Nov. 2—Gen. Coffee attacks the Creek Indians at Tallushatches, Ala. 200 
warriors are killed. 

“ 9—Gen. Jackson defeats the Indians at Talladega, iVla., killing 290 
of them. Two other battles with the Indians occurred this month, 
and one in Dec. in which they were defeated with great slaughter, 
and little loss to the Americans. Yet so spirited and resolute were 
they as to require to be almost exterminated before they would 
make peace. 

“ 11—1,200 Americans, under Gen. Boyd, engage 2,000 British, under 
Lt. Col. Morrison, and are repulsed with a loss of 339. British 
loss 180. 

Dec. 10—Ft. George, at Niagara, evacuated and the town of Newark burned 
by the Americans’. 

“ 19 —Ft. Niagara is taken by the British and Indians win massacre the 

garrison. Youngstown, Lewistown, the Tuscarora Indian village, 
and Manchester, all in N. Y., are burned, in retaliation of the 
destruction of Newark. 

30—The British burn Black Rock, Buttalo, three vessels of Perry’s 
fleet, and large quantities of provisions. Gen. Proctor justifles it 
as a proper retaliation. The burning of Newark was barbarous, 
but was avenged tenfold. Naturalized Irishmen, taken by the 
British in our armies this year, were sent to England to be tried 
for treason. An equal number of English oflicers were impris¬ 
oned by the American government and notice given to the gover¬ 
nor of Canada that they should receive the same treatment and 
fate as our Irish soldiers. This had its effect, and the latter 
remained simply prisoners of war. This claim, and corresponding 
action on the part of the English government, which was one of 

34 


530 


THE WAR OF 1812 . 


the principal causes of the war, was, from this time, practically 
relinquished. In December an embargo was laid by Congress on 
American goods and provisions, to prevent their being employed 
to supply the British blockading force and armies. It produced 
great discontent in New England, where a large part of the people 
were dependent on commerce, and were thrown into great distress. 
There was much factious, and even seditious, opposition to the 
government. 

1814. 

The army operations had been unsuccessful in Canada during the last 
of the campaign, owing, it was thought, to the inefliciency of the com¬ 
manders, and perhaps partly to the want of experience of their subalterns. 
Changes, that were proved much for the better, were made, and the c.on- 
paign of this year, in this quarter, showed a more honorable record. 
Since the commencement of the war till this year, the English government 
had been carrying on an immense European war, which was closed by the 
battle of Waterloo and the imprisonment of Bonaparte at St. Helena. 
They prepared for a more vigorous effort in America, by sending consider¬ 
able armies of the veterans of Wellington, who had conquered at Waterloo. 
They had received the impression that the opposition to the war and the 
republican party, would cooperate with them, and that they might re-estab¬ 
lish their dominion over their former colonies. 

But they did not comprehend American character. Party politics have 
always been conducted in a bitter and hostile spirit, but that hostility has 
not been directed against their institutions. Extreme attachment to these, 
and jealous care to preserve all rights guaranteed by the Constitution, has 
always led the opposition to a close and sharp criticism of all measures of 
the party in power differing from their own interpretation of Constitutional 
rights. When these institutions are really in danger all parties unite in a 
defense, the obstinacy and vigor of which carries everything before it. It 
stops at no obstacles, hesitates before no sacrifices, and counts no odds. 
This became apparent to the British during the summer, dispelled forever 
their dream of conquest, and led to a peace at the close of the campaign. 
The British sent 14,000 troops to Canada this spring, which was supported, 
in July and August, by a large reinforcement. A strong naval force, with 
a large body of troops, was sent to invade the heart of the country and cap¬ 
ture Washington. After failing in maintaining their ground here, they 
were directed against the gulf coast and the Mississippi river, ending in 
their decisive defeat by Gen. Jackson, at New Orleans, Jan. 8th, 1815, nine 
days before the treaty of peace, signed at Ghent, in Belgium, Dec. 24, was 
known in America. 

Mar. 24—A loan of $25,000,000 authorized by Congress. 

“ 27—Gen. Jackson’s defeat of the Indians at Great Horseshoe Bend, 
Ala. This battle accomplished the subjection of the Creek 
Indians. Jackson had fought them on the 21st, 24th and 27th of 


THE WAR OF 1812 . 


531 


J an., when they came near defeating him, but notwithstanding 
their fierce and obstinate bravery, he conquered each time, and 
finally, nearly exterminated them. 

“ 28—The brilliant career of the U. S. frigate Essex, in the Pacific ocean, 
is terminated by its capture, at Valparaiso, Chili, by the British 
frigate Phebe and another sloop of war. 

“ oO—Gen. Wilkinson is repulsed in an advance into Canada, at La Colle, 
and is afterwards tried by court martial. Gen. Brown is given the 
command of the Niagara frontier, and Gen. Izard of northern N. Y. 

April 21—The U. S. sloop of war Frolic captured by the British frigate 
Orpheus. 

“ 27—The U. S. sloop of war Peacock captures the British brig-of-war 
Epervier with $118,000 specie on board. 

May 7—A British force captures and destroys the American fort at Oswego, 
N. Y., and carries off several guns. 

“ 29—The Americans capture a British force at Sandy Creek, N. Y. 

June 9—The U. S. sloop of war Kattlesnake captured by a British 50 gun 
ship. 

“ 12—The U. S. sloop Syren captured by a British 74. 

“ 28—The U. S. sloop of war Wasp captures the British sloop of war 

Reindeer, in the British Channel. 

July 3—Gen. Brown captures Ft. Erie, near Niagara, U. C. 

“ 5—Battle of Chippewa, Canada. Gens. Brown, Scott, and Ripley, with 

about 3,000 men, were opposed by the British Gen. Riall with an 
equal number of the veterans of Waterloo. Gen. Scott attacked 
them with such prudence and valor as to conquer a largely superior 
force before Gen. Ripley could come up to his aid. It was a 
splendid test of American mettle. Loss of the British 514, of Scott 
328. The British fall back to Ft. George. 

“ 11—The British make a descent on the coast of Maine. 

“ 25—Gen. Scott engages a British force of seven times his number, and 

holds his ground for some hours when Gen. Ripley comes to his 
aid, and they drive the British from the field; but having only 
1,600 men left, while the British have 5,000, they retire next day. 
The British lost 878, the Americans 860. 

Aug. 4—Americans besieged in Ft. Erie. 

“ 3—First meeting of the U. S. and English commissioners to treat for 
peace, who arranged the terms at the close of this year. The 
English were very high in their demands till the failure of their 
much vaunted veteran troops. 

« 9 —The British make an unsuccessful attack on Stonington, Conn. 

A treaty is made with the Creek Indians. 

« 15 —The British repulsed from Ft. Erie with the loss of 962 men. 
The Americans lost 84. 


532 


tup: war of 1812 . 


“ 20—A British force landed from the fleet in the Chesapeake, marches 
on Washington. 

“ 24—The battle of Bladensburg, near Washington. The Americans, 
much inferior in numbers, were defeated. The British, under 
Gen. Ross, entered Washington the same day. They destroyed 
much private property, as well as public stores, buildings and 
documents. 

Not deeming it prudent to remain, the British retreated from 
Washington to their vessels, leaving the people greatly exasper¬ 
ated at conduct unworthy of the army of a civilized nation. 

“ 27—Alexandria, Va., delivers up the public stores and shipping there 
and much merchandise as a ransom from plunder and burning. 

Sept. 1—The U. 8. sloop of war Wasp captures the British sloop Avon. 
After taking three other prizes in European waters, she disappeared 
and was never again heard of—supposed to have foundered at sea. 
The British Gen. Prevost advances toward Plattsburg, N. Y., with 
12,000 veteran troops. 

“ 11—The battle of Plattsburg. Com. McDonough, American, with 4 
vessels, 10 gun boats and 850 men, captures the British Com. 
Downie’s fleet of 4 vessels, 12 gun boats and 1,000 men. A simul¬ 
taneous attack by Prevost on Plattsburg miscarried by the failure 
of the fleet and panic of the soldiers. They return, in disorder, 
to Canada. 

“ 12—The British who had captured Washington, appear near Balti¬ 
more and land a force which repulses the Baltimore militia, and, 
next day advances toward the city; but the attack seems so 
formidable to them that they retreat in the night to their vessels 
and depart. The British admiral could not reduce Ft. MTienry 
so as to co-operate in an attack on the city by water. The patri¬ 
otic song, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was written during this 
bombardment of Fort M’Henry. Gen. Ross, the British com¬ 
mander, was killed soon after the landing of the troops. 

About this time various attacks are made at different places on 
the coast of New England, and the British pretend, by proclama¬ 
tion, to take possession of all of Maine east of the Penobscot 
river and annex it to New Brunswick. 

“ 17—A sortie is made from Ft. Erie and the works of the enemy sur¬ 
prised and taken with a loss to him of 1,000 men in killed, 
wounded and prisoners. 

Thus, in the midst of ravages and alarms on the coast, the 
destruction of our commerce, the stagnation of business, the 
financial difficulties of the government that almost amounted to 
bankruptcy, and the complaints of the peace party, (which pro¬ 
duced much alarm by the calling of a convention of the New 
England States, in December of this year, at Hartford, Conn.,) the 


THE WAR OF 1812 . 


533 


honor of the United States was preserved. The formidable armies 
in Canada had been baffled and defeated, the capture of Washing¬ 
ton followed immediately by the withdrawal of the invaders, and 
a strong point made which had its eftect in substantially gaining 
the cause that had brought on the war, for the Americans, in the 
treaty negotiations in progress. The British now turned their 
attention to the Mississippi river and the coast of the gulf of 
^lexico. 

Nov. 7—Gen. Jackson takes Pensacola from the British, who were labor¬ 
ing to raise the Indians to war again. 

Dec. 15—A British fleet captures the flotilla on Lake Borgne, La. 

“ 22—12,000 British troops land below New Orleans, and repulse the 

Americans, 

“ 24—The treaty of peace is signed at Ghent, but is not known in 

America until Feb. following. 

1815. 

Jan. 8—Gen. Jackson, with only 6,000 men, had intrenched himself 
in front of the British, who now made an assault on his position. 
They were repulsed with great slaughter, losing their general, 
Packingham, and near 2,000 men. Jackson lost but 7 killed and 
6 wounded. The British retreated to their vessels. 

“ 15—The U. S. frigate President captured by four English vessels. 

Feb. 18—Ft. Bowyer, near Pensacola, Fla., invested by the British fleet. 
It surrenders on the 21st. 

“ 17—The treaty of peace which arrived at New York on the 11th by 

the British sloop of war Favorite, ratified by the American gov¬ 
ernment and Peace proclaimed. 

“ 24—Congress authorizes the loan of $18,400,000, and the issue of 

treasury notes to the amount of $25,000,000. 

“ 28—The naval war was continued some time longer. The U. S. 

frigate Constitution captures two British vessels of war, the frigate 
Cyane and the sloop Levant, otf the island of Madeira. In March 
the U. S. frigate Hornet captured the British brig Penguin, on the 
coast of Brazil. 

The British government, elated by their triumph over Bonaparte, 
their large army accustomed to conquer in Europe, and the fleets 
set free from the blockade of the Continent, thought to make an 
easy conquest of America. But all their attempts were defeated. 
Had peace been made a little later the Americans might have 
obtained much better terms. 

This war had been waged under many difficulties by the Ameri¬ 
can administration. The country and its institutions, were new, 
and there was no such reserved fund of wealth and credit, as is 
always found in an old and well organized state. They depended 
largely on commerce, which was almost destroyed by the great 


534 


THE WAR OF 1812 . 


naval force of Great Britain, and the embargo policy. Our navy 
was gallant and successful; but the government lacked the means, 
and the unanimous support of the people, requisite to increase it 
to the necessary strength. The administration did not act with 
the vigor and efficiency calculated to bring all sections and classes 
to its support, and the people had not yet the experience and 
knowledge of the value and strength of their own institutions 
needful to inspire confidence, so that they were critical and diffi¬ 
cult to please, and this spirit impaired the efficiency of nearly all 
government measures. What they undertook could be only imper¬ 
fectly done. The old soldiers of the Revolution were dead or 
unfit by age for good service, and time was necessary to train 
others and ascertain who had the necessary military capacity for 
conducting operations with success. Yet, under all these great 
difficulties, the United States came out of the war with the respect 
of the world, such as it had never before enjoyed. It became 
formidable to Europe as a great and vigorous power with which 
it was not safe to trifle. 

This was still more clear when the government declared vrar on 
the Dey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of the North of 
Africa, which, for hundreds of years, had made war on the com¬ 
merce of all nations almost with impunity. Having violated 
their treaty with us, the President sent out an adequate naval force 
June 17-19—which captured two Algerine vessels of war, and threat¬ 
ened Algiers. The Dey, intimidated, immediately made 
peace, giving liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and 
full satisfaction for the injuries done to our commerce. No Euro¬ 
pean nation had before so humbled these pirates, and it at once 
raised the credit of our government, and gained us respect and 
esteem. 

June 30—Tlie last hostile act at sea took place in the Straits of Sunda, 
in the East Indies, where the U. S. brig of w^ar Peacock captured 
the Nautilus, a British sloop of war. Thus the three American 
vessels at sea when the war closed, each came home crowned 
with laurels. The British vessels captured during the war num¬ 
bered 1,750—the American 1,683. The spirit and energy of the 
Americans, under all their embarrassments, gave an unmistakable 
indication of the future greatness and power of the United States. 

1816. 

The last two years’ experience had taught the government and the people 
many important lessons by which they hastened to profit. The coast was 
fortified, the navy increased, manufactures and commerce encouraged, and 
the best measures that the wisdom of the times could suggest, employed to 
restore the finances. The violently factious opposition of parties was 
much moderated by the confidence gained to our government and institu- 


HISTOliY OF THE UNITED STATES. 535 

tioiis, and the evident folly of excessive fears. The Second U. S. Bank 
was chartered for 20 years, with a capital of $35,000,000. 

Nov. 5—Governeur Morris, an eminent and excellent American statesman 
died. 

Dec. 11—Indiana admitted into the Union as a State. James Monroe was, 
this autumn, elected President. 


CHAPTEE XXI. 

HISTOEY OF THE U. S. EEOM 1817 TO 1846. 

Monroe’s Administration. 

A new era for America commenced with this administration, or rather, 
reached its period of uninterrupted development; for the whole past his- 
toiy of the country had been a preparation for it, but especially so the late 
war and its results. The failure of the French revolution, and, finally, 
the failure of Napoleon Bonaparte and the re-establishment of the old mon¬ 
archy in France, as a result of the excesses, first of the French republic, 
and then of the military interference of Bonaparte with the existing state 
of things in Europe, had an important influence in modifying the politics 
of the republican party in the United States; so that they came partially 
in Jefferson’s administration, and completely by the close of Madison’s, 
to follow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and the 
federal party; while the general government and the institutions of the 
country became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, and 
attention to the interests and will of the people that formed the leading idea 
of Jefferson and the original democrat, or, as it was then called, the repub¬ 
lican party. Thus the two points of supreme importance, vigor in the 
general government, and security to the people, were happily mingled and 
wrought into the spirit and form of our institutions. 

The leading events of Monroe’s two administrations were the attention 
given to internal improvements—among which may be mentioned the Erie 
canal in New York, and the encouragements to manufactures—tlie acqui¬ 
sition of Florida from Spain, and a definite settlement of the slavery ques¬ 
tion (for the next thirty years only, as it proved,) by the Missouri com¬ 
promise. The people now began to feel and act together, as a single nation, 
and material progress was rapid. 

1817. 

Mar. 3—The observance of the neutrality laws strictly enjoined on citizens 
of the United States by Congress. 

“ 4—James Monroe, the fifth President, inaugurated. With his admin¬ 

istration commences “the era of good feeling,” as it was called. 
The bitterness of party controversy^ ceased. 



536 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


June 24—Thos. McKean, of Del., signer of the Declaration of Independ¬ 
ence, died. 

Dec. —Mississippi admitted into the Union, and Alabama erected into a 
territoiy. 

“ —A war broke out with the Seminole Indians, on the borders ot 

Florida. It came near involving us in a war with Spain. Inter¬ 
nal taxes are abolished by Congress. 

1818. 

Mar. 18—A law enacted giving pensions to indigent officers and soldiers. 

April 4—The Flag of the U. S. rearranged; the stripes to represent the thir-' 
teen original States, the stars the present number of States. 

“ 18—Illinois is authorized to form a state constitution. 

May 24—Gen. Jackson took Pensacola, Fla., from the Spaniards on account 
of the support given by them to the Indians. 

Oct. 20—A treaty of commerce and for settling boundaries is made witk 
England. 

1819. 

Feb. 23—A treaty for the session of Florida ratified by Congress, but not 
by the king of Spain until Oct. 20th, 1820. 

Mar. 2—Arkansas organized into a territory. 

Dec. 14—Alabama admitted into the Union. 

In this year commenced the discussion on the balance between 
the north and the south in relation to slavery. Missouri and 
Maine both desire admission as States. The discussion resulted 
in a settlement of the whole question Feb. 27th, 1821, by the appli¬ 
cation of the “Missouri Compromise” to the admission of that 
State. 

1820. 

Feb. 15—Win. Ellery, of R. I., signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
died. 

Mar. 15—Maine admitted into the Union. 

Aug. 23—Com. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, died in the West Indies. 

The 4th census was taken in this year. 

1821. 

Mar. 4—James Monroe inaugurated on his second term. 

“ 22—Com. Decatur died at Washington. 

Aug. 22—Gen. Jackson takes possession of Florida as its Governor. The U. 

S. government paid $5,000,000 for Florida. The Spanish officers 
were reluctant and dilatory in giving up their places, and Gen. 
Jackson had occasion for his remarkably decisive action in deal¬ 
ing with them. The governor, Don Cavalla, refusing to give up 
certain papers according to the treaty, he sent him to prison until 
all the papers were produced, and banished six other Spanish 
officers who interfered with him. 


HISTOKY OK THE UNITED STATES. 


58T 


1822. 

June —A commercial treaty is negotiated with France. Capt. Allen, of 
the U. S. schooner Alligator, engages a band of pirates in the 
West Indies, captures one of their schooners, and recaptures 
five American vessels. Capt. Allen is killed. 

The ports of the West India islands are opened to American com¬ 
merce by the English government. 

Com. Truxton, a meritorious naval officer—Gen. Stark, the hero 
of Bennington, Vt.,—and Wm. Lowndes, a statesman of S. C., died 
this year. 

A new arrangement of the ratio of Representation gives one mem¬ 
ber of Congress to 40,000 inhabitants. 

1823. 

Com. Porter makes a successful expedition against the West Indian 

pirates. 

This year our government acknowledged the independence of the South 

American Republics, and ministers were appointed to Mexico, Columbia, 

Buenos Ayres, and Chili, 

A treaty for the mutual suppression of the slave trade was made by 

Great Britain and the United States. 

1824. 

April —American and Russian commissioners settle the boundaries 
between the two countries. 

Aug. 15—Lafayette arrives from France. He was everywhere received as 
the guest of the people with the utmost affection and reverence. 
He spent a year visiting all parts of the Union. 

A presidential election this autumn does not result in a choice, 
and the House of Representatives made selection of John Quincy 
Adams, from the candidates, according to a provision of the Con¬ 
stitution, anticipating such a case. A protective tariff w^as made 
this year to encourage cotton manufactures. 

Administkation of John Quincy Adams. 

1825. 

Mar. 4—J. Q. Adams inaugurated sixth President. 

“ “—An act of Congress establishes a navy yard at Pensacola, Fla. 

June 11—Dan. D. Tompkins, Vice-President with Monroe, died. 

Nov. 10—Com. McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain, died. 

1826. 

July 4—John Adams and Thos. Jefferson, whose lives were identified with 
the foundation and development of our institutions, simultan- 
eousl}' died on this day. 

Sept. 11—Wm. Morgan, an anti-mason, mysteriously disappears, and is 
never again heard of. 


538 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


1827. 

An Anti-Mason party is formed, opposing secret societies. Much “polit- 

cal capital ” is made of it. 

Jan. —The first considerable railroad was begun, and completed in May. 

It was nine miles long, a beginning of the wonderful transforma¬ 
tion that was to be produced by this agent. 

1828. 

Feb. 11—De Witt Clinton, governor of N. Y. and originator of the Erie 
canal, died. 

The tariff was amended and enlarged this year. This tariff was 
violently opposed in the South and produced the “Nullification 
Ordinances” of S. C., some time later. 

In the fall of this year Gen. Andrew Jackson was elected President. 

1829. 

Feb. 29—The Virginia Legislature passes a resolution denying the right 
of Congress to pass a protective tariff law. 

Mar. 4—Andrew Jackson inaugurated as President. 

Dan. Webster makes his great speech against nullification. 
Jackson’s Administration. 

1829. 

May 19—A treaty of friendship and commerce concluded with Brazil. 

“ “ —John Jay, ex-President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice 
of the U. S., Governor of N. Y., etc., died. In purity of patriot, 
ism, moderation, and soundness of judgment, he came nearer to 
Washington than any of his contemporaries. He was above the 
reach of the violent party spirit that prevailed after Washington’s 
retirement from public life. 

1830. 

May 7—A treaty made with Turkey gives U. S. commerce the freedom of 
the Black sea. The vigorous dealing of our government with the 
Barbary States secured the respect and friendship of Turkey. 

The important movement and interests of this year were connected 
with the progress of railroads (the first American built locomotive 
was made this year,) and the rapid rise of that great interest, and 
with the agitation produced by the nullification proceedings of 
South Carolina. That State claimed the right to pronounce upon, 
and disregard the enactments of Congress. This was subversive 
of the Constitution. It drew the “ Key Stone ” from the arch, and 
the whole structure of the Union would have fallen. No decisive 
action was reached till the year 1832. 

1830. 

May 29—The office of Solicitor of the Treasury created. 

1831. 

Jan. 10—The King of the Netherlands, being accepted as arbitrator of the 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


539 


northern boundary between the United States and the British Pos¬ 
sessions, by the two governments, decides the question in our 
favor. 

July 4—James Monroe, ex-President of the U. S., died, aged 73. 

Oct. 1—A free trade convention meets at Philadelphia. 

“ 26—A tariff convention meets at New York. There were over 500 
delegates. It was the absorbing political topic of the time. 

1832. 

April 1—The Black Hawk war breaks out by the attack of the Winueba- 
goes. Sacs, and Foxes from the west bank of the Mississippi on 
the settlers in Illinois, under the Indian chief. Black Hawk. 

“ 2—The Creek Indians sell all their lands east of the Mississippi river 

to the U. S. 

May 5—A commercial and boundary treaty concluded with Mexico. 

“ 27—A new ratio of representation based on the 5th census gives one 
member of Congress to 47,700 inhabitants. 

June 1—Gen. Sumter, a South Carolina hero of the Revolution, died. 

“ 9—The cholera breaks out at Quebec, Lower Canada. It swept over 
the country, following the lakes and rivers and routes of travel, 
with fearful violence. 

July—The cholera breaks up Gen. Scott’s army, on the way to meet Black 
Hawk while in vessels on the lakes. 

“ 9—Congress creates the office of Commissioner of Indian affairs. 

“ 10—Naval hospitals established at Charlestown, Mass., Brooklyn, N. 
Y., and Pensacola, Fla. 

“ “ —The President vetoes the bill rechartering the U. S. Bank. 

Aug. 27—Gen. Atkinson defeats the Indians and takes Black Hawk 
l)risoner. 

Nov. 14—Chas. Carroll, of Carrollton, Md., last surviving signer of Dec. 
of Ind., dies. 

“ 19—An anti-tariff convention in S. C. issues the famous “Nullifica¬ 
tion Ordinance.^’ 

“ 24—The Unionists of S. C. meet and protest against this ordinance. 

Dec. 10—President Jackson issues a proclamation against the nullifiers. 

He followed word with deed, garrisoning the forts, and sending 
vessels of war into the harbor of Charleston. His well known 
vigor left the nullifiers no hope of success, and they finally sub¬ 
mitted. 

“ 18—A commercial treaty concluded with Russia. 

“ 20—Gov. Hayne, of S. C., defies the President in a counter procla 
mation. 

“ 28—J. C. Calhoun, of S. C., the Vice-President, resigns his office. 
President Jackson is reelected this fall. His anti-nullification 
measures made him very popular. 


540 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


1833. 

Feb. 12—Henry Clay introduces a bill on the tariff compromising the 
points at issue between the manufacturing States and the South. 

Mar. 3—It becomes a law, and gives general satisfaction. 

“ 4—President Jackson reinaugurated on his second term. 

May 20—The death of La Fayette, in France. 

.June 1—Oliver Wolcott, Sec. of the Treasury under Washington, dies. 

July 27—Com. Bainbridge, a famous naval commander, dies. 

Sept. 30—President Jackson removes his Sec. of Treas. W. J. Duane, for 
refusing to carry out his policy in regard to the U. S. Bank. The 
presence of the Indians in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and 
Florida, produces so much conflict and so frequent a necessity for 
chastising them that they are in danger of total extermination. 
Gen. Jackson persuades Congress and the Indians to arrange for 
their removal to lands west of the Mississippi. Some of the Indi¬ 
ans quietly remove this year. Many resist, but all are finally 
persuaded to this course by Gen. Scott and others, except the 
Seminoles of Fla. 

1834. 

Mar. 28—Congress formally censures the President for his course in regard 
to the U. S. Bank. 

Oct. 28—A conditional treaty made with the Seminoles at Payne’s Landing, 
May 9,1832, for their removal to the Indian Territory west of the 
Mississippi, was afterwards confirmed by the chiefs but rejected 
by the people. Gen. Thompson was sent, at this time, by Presi¬ 
dent Jackson to insist on their carrying out the treaty. 

Dec. 28—A council of the Indians, called by Gen. Thompson, seemingly 
accept the terms of the President. 

1835. 

Mar. 3—Congress establishes branch mints in La., N. C., and Ga. 

May 14—A treaty with the Cherokees purchases all their lands east of the 
Mississippi for $5,262,251, and ample lands in exchange in the 
Indian Territory. 

June 3—Osceola, a Seminole chief, imprisoned by Gen. Thompson. 

July 6—Chief Justice Marshall dies, aged 80. 

Dec. 16—A destructive fire in New York. $17,000,000 worth of property 
consumed. 

“ 28—The Seminoles killed their chief, Mathla, who had been promin¬ 
ent in making the obnoxious treaty, and suddenly attack a U. S. 
force under Maj. Dade. But one man out of 110 escaped. He wa« 
wounded and afterwards died. The same day Gen. Thompson 
and others were surprised and massacred. 

“ 31—Gen. Clinch is attacked by the Indians at Withlacoochee. He 
repulses them and retires. 


history of the united states. 


541 


1836. 

Early in this year the Indians laid waste the whole country, burning the 

buildings and killing all who had not taken refuge in the forts. 

Jan. 20 A treaty of Iriendship and commerce comiluded with the republic 
of Venezuela, South America. 

Eeb. —The U. S. Bank was chartered by the Legislature of Pa. 

“ 11—(Jen. Gaines lands an army at Tampa Bay. He is surrounded by 

the Indians on his march toward Port King. He repulsed them, 
but his army is nearly starved. While the army is held here the 
tribe remove their families and ettects into the impenetrable 
swamps of the interior. 

Mar. 2—The Texans proclaim their independence. 

Apr. 26—Wisconsin receives a territorial government. 

“ 21—Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna taken prisoner. 

June 15—Michigan erected into a State, conditionally. 

“ “ —Arkansas admitted into the Union. 

“ 23—A surplus revenue having accumulated it is loaned to the States. 

“ 28—James Madison, the ex-President, dies, aged 86. 

July 4—Office of Commissioner of Patents created. 

Sept. 15—Aaron Burr, an able but dishonest and disloyal statesman, for¬ 
merly Vice-President, dies, aged 81. 

The Creek Indians commenced hostilities in May of this year, in 
their usual fierce and barbarous manner. Gen. Scott and the State 
authorities of Geo. subdue them early in the summer. 

In the presidential election this fall Martin Van Buren was elected. 

Dec. 15—The General Post Office and Patent Office, with many records 
and articles of value, are destroyed by fire. 

1837. 

Jan. 16—The U. S. Senate repealed and expunged its resolution of March 
24th, 1834, censuring President Jackson, as having exceeded his 
Constitutional powers when he ordered the public funds to be 
withdrawn from the U. S. Bank. 

Mar. 4—Van Buren inaugurated President. 

Speculation having been carried to an extreme length for some 
time, and somewhat arrested by the “ specie circular ” requiring 
payments for public lands to be made in coin, a revulsion, produc¬ 
ing great distress, and suspension of payments by the banks, 
occurred this spring. 

May 3—The merchants of New York present a memorial to the President 

* urging him to remit the regulations of the “specie circular.” 

The President declines, but calls an extra session of Congress. 

Aug. 4—Texas proposes annexation to the U. S. The President declines 
to entertain the proposition. 

“ 13—The banks resume specie payments. 

Sept. 4—Congress assembled in extra session. A portion.of the surplus 


o42 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


revenue, which, by law of June 23d, 1836, was to be loan, a vO kUv 
S tates, is reclaimed to meet the current expenses of the govern- 
ment. 

“ 29—A treaty made with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of theii 
lands, 5,000,000 acres, for $1,000,000. 

Oct. 1—The Winnebagoes sell their lands for $1,500,000. 

“ 12—Congress authorizes the issue of $10,000,000 in Treasury notes. 

“ 21—Osceola, the Seminole chief, with 70 of his warriors, visits the 
camp of Gen. Jessup. They are detained, and Osceola was impris¬ 
oned in Ft. Moultrie, S. C., where, in a few months, he died. 

Dec. 25—The battle of Okee-cho-bee fought with the Semiuoles in the 
swamps of Florida, by Col. Zachary Taylor. The Indians are 
defeated. 

The Magnetic Telegraph was patented in this year. 

1838. 

Jan. 5—The President issues a proclamation enjoining neutrality on Amer¬ 
ican citizens, during the “ Patriot war,” or insurrection in Canada. 

June 12—Iowa receives a Territorial government. 

Aug. 19—An Arctic exploring expedition, with six vessels, sails from Hamp¬ 
ton Roads, Va. 

The Cherokee Indians completed their emigration to the Indian 
Territory this year. 

1839. 

Gen. Macomb makes a treaty early in this year with the Seminoles, 

which they very imperfectly kept. 

A difficulty with England in regard to our northeast boundary narrowly 

avoids war, but is, at length, peaceably adjusted. 

Dec. 2—Congress assembles. 

“ 4—A Whig Convention prepares for the contest of the coming year 

by the nomination of Wm. H. Harrison for the Presidency. Great 
discontent was felt with the financial policy of Van Buren’s 
administration, and lively interest taken in the coming election, 
which made the campaign the most stirring and the noisiest ever 
experienced in this country. 

1840. 

May 5—The Democrats renominate Van Buren for the Presidency. 

This year was chiefly memorable for the “Log Cabin and Hard 
Cider” election gatherings, and the extreme interest of the people 
in the elections, on financial grounds. 

June 30—Congress passes the sub-treasury bill recommended by President 
Van Buren, in 1837, but then rejected. 

Nov. —W. H. Harrison elected President, and John Tyler Vice-President. 

1841. 

Jan. 14—Imprisonment for debts due the U. S. abolished. 

Mar. 4—Harrison inaugurated ninth President. 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 543 

“ 11—The steamer President sails from New York but is never again 
heard of. She had 109 passengers. 

“ 1"^—The President calls an extra session of Congress to consider finan¬ 
cial questions. 

Apr. 4—President Harrison died and John Tyler became acting President. 

May 31—Congress convenes. 

June 25—Gen. Macomb died. 

July 6—The proceeds of the public lands ordered to be distributed to the 
States. 

“ 21—Congress orders a loan of $12,000,000. 

Aug. 9—The Sub Treasury act repealed. 

“ 16—President Tyler vetoes the National Bank bill. 

“ 18—A general bankrupt law passed. 

Sept. 9—A Second Banking Bill vetoed. This was the fourteenth time the 
veto power had been used; by Washington twice, Madison four 
times, Monroe once, Jackson five times. 

Oct. 11—Failure of U. S. Bank under the Pennsylvania charter. 

1842. 

June 25—The new Ratio of Representation, based on the census of 1840, 
gives one Member of Congress for every 70,600 inhabitants. 

July 23—Bunker Hill Monument finished and dedicated. The corner 
stone was laid by Lafayette 17 years before. 

Aug. 20—The Ashburton treaty with England, settling the N. E. Boundary, 
ratified by the U. S. Senate. 

“ 28—The U. S. fiscal year ordered to commence with July 1st. 

Oct. 2—The U. S. sloop of war Concord wrecked on the African coast. 

“ 14—The Ashburton-Webster treaty ratified in England. 

1843. 

Mar. 3—Congress appropriates $30,000 for building Morse’s electric tele¬ 
graph from Washington to Baltimore. It was the beginning of 
that magnificent enterprise. 

Com. Porter, minister to Turkey, dies in Constantinople. 

Apr. 18—Commences “ Dorr’s rebellion ” in Rhode Island. 

Aug. 26—The U. S. frigate Missouri burned, at Gibraltar, Spain. 

1844. 

Feb. 28—A large cannon on board the war steamer Princeton, bursts while 
the President and others are visiting the vessel, killing Messrs. 
Upshur and Gilmer, secretaries of war and navy, and others. 

May 6—The “Know-nothing” or American excitement produces a serious 
riot in Philadelphia. 

July 7—Jo. Smith, the originator of the Mormons, killed at Carthage, Ill. 

Nov. —The Democratic party elected James K. Polk for President. The 
chief question entering into the election was on the annexation 
of Texas. It had been sought for some years but had been 
declined as certain to bring on a war with Mexico, which, as a 


544 


HISTORY OF THE UxMTED STATES. 


sister republic, and much weaker than ourselves, had been con¬ 
sidered to be an unworthy act. The Whigs, with Henry Clay as 
their candidate for President, opposed it. It was carried, in great 
part as a pro-slavery measure, although the bitter and barbarous 
conduct of the Mexicans toward Texans and American citizens 
had sometliing to do with it. • 

1845. 

Jan. 16—A treaty made with China, ratified by the U. Senate. 

“ 23—An act of Congress orders presidential elections to be held in all 
the States on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 

Feb. 28—Congress annexes Texas to the Union, by a joint resolution of 
both Houses. 

Mar. .3—Florida admitted into the Union. 

“ 4—Mr. Polk inaugurated the tenth President. 

June 18—Andrew Jackson died. 

The Congress of Texas accepted the conditions of the U. S. and 
it became a State in the American Union. 

July 30—Gen. Taylor ordered to the frontier of Texas. 

Sept. 10—Judge Joseph Story, of the U. S. Supreme Court, died, aged 66. 

Dec. 15—A misunderstanding had long existed between the U. S. and Eng¬ 
land as to the northern boundaiy of Oregon. Much excitement 
is now produced by a speech and resolution of Mr. Cass, which 
seemed the prelude to war witli Great Britain. 

“ 28—Iowa fully admitted into the Union. 

1846. 

June 18—A treaty was negotiated by Mr. Packenham and Mr. Buchanan 
settling the northwest boundary satisfactorily. 


CHAPTEK XXII. 

THE MEXICAN WAR 

Texas was a nearly uninhabited part of Mexico, lying between Louisiana 
and the Rio Grande river. It was a fertile region, with a fine climate. 
The Spanish possessors of Mexico, in the bigoted and bitter spirit that was 
traditional with the Spaniards toward protestants, and deeply hostile in 
feeling from the rather high-handed and vigorous proceedings of Gen. 
Jackson before and after the cession of Florida, did not encourage the set¬ 
tlement of Texas; preferring to be separated by a wilderness from the 
Lnited States. In 1821 the Mexicans finally threw off the Spanish yoke 
and established an independent government. 

About this time the Americans, and especially those of the South, fore¬ 
seeing the probable spread of the northern part of the Republic to the 
Pacific, began to look with covetous eyes on the fine Savannas of Texas, as 



THE MEXICAN AVAR. 


545 


an excellent field for land speculations, and also for extending the South¬ 
ern area^so as to keep its balance in the number of slave States equal to 
the free States of the North, as they had been provided for by the Missouri 
Compromise. It was believed to be the plan of Mr. Calhoun, an able and 
far-seeing statesman, thoroughly in earnest in the maintenance of slavery, 
and the political equality of the slave with the free States. A settle- 
ment was made by people from the United States. In a few years they 
grew to be numerous, and came in conflict with the rigid Spanish Catholic 
laws, still maintained by the Mexicans. The United States government 
made advances toward purchasing Texas, but the Mexicans were resolute 
in their purpose to hold it, and bring its people under the dominion of 
strict Mexican law. The Americans resisted this Avith the settled deter¬ 
mination of ultimate separation from Mexico, and probable annexation to 
the United States. 

The Mexicans undertook to reduce them to submission. The Texans, 
supported by bold and fearless adventurers from the Southern States, 
resisted. The war commenced Oct. 2d, 1835, by a battle at Gonzalez, fol¬ 
lowed by various others. March 2d, 1836, the Texans formally declared 
Independence, which they maintained by force of arms. March 3d, 1837, 
the United States government recognized the Independence of Texas. 
England did the same in 1842. Propositions of annexation had been made 
to Presidents Jackson, Van Buren, and Tyler, successively, by the Texas 
government, but as often rejected by them as tending necessarily to a war 
with Mexico; that power having distinctly and repeatedly declared that 
she should regard such a step as a declaration of war. 

The Democratic party regaining the ascendency in the election of 1844, 
made this annexation the issue of the presidential campaign. A majority 
of the people were in favor it. 

The Southern Auew, however, was not alone in its influence on this decis¬ 
ion. Indignities and injuries had'been inflicted by the Mexicans on Amer¬ 
ican citizens in that country; its haughty, exclusive, and unfriendly spirit 
awakened strong indignation; and the Pacific coast of California, with the 
mining regions of the northern interior of Mexico, both nearly uninhabited, 
were objects of desire to the American people. Thus a wish to extend the 
bounds of the Republic, and to chastise an insolent neighbor, combined 
with the ardent wishes of the pro-slavery interest, to lead the nation to deter¬ 
mine on a war, somewhat ungenerously, with a neighbor notoriously too 
weak and disorganized for eflectual resistance to the whole strength of the 
United States. The whole plan, as afterward carried out, was arranged in 
the cabinet at Washington almost before hostilities had actually commenced. 

1846. 

Mar. 28—Gen. Taylor takes position with a small army at the mouth of 
the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras. This the Mexican govern¬ 
ment regard as a declaration of war, for which they had prepared 
and were waiting. 

35 


546 


THE MEXICAN WAK. 


Apr. 34—Hostilities commence by an attack on Capt. Thornton. He loses 
16 men out of 63, and surrenders. 

Ma}" 8—The battle of Palo Alto. Gen. Taylor with 3,300 men defeats 
6,000 Mexicans. Mexican loss 100 killed, 300 wounded; xAmerican 
4 killed 40 wounded. 

“ 9—The battle of Resaca de la Palma. The Mexicans are totally 

defeated with a loss of about 600; the Americans lose about 160. 
Gen. La Ye^a, (Mexican,) taken prisoner. The Mexica'ns fled in 
total rout across the Rio Grande. The object of the war, so far 
as Texas was concerned, was gained; but the Mexicans w^ere still 
spirited, and California, Utah, and New Mexico were not gained. 
An invasion and march on the city of Mexico were the next steps. 

“ 13—Congress ordered the raising of 50,000 men, and voted $10,000,000 
to carry on the war. 

Jul}" 6—Monterey, on the California coast is taken by the American navy 
under Com. Sloat. 

“ 9—Congress re-cedes the Virginia portion of the District of Colum¬ 

bia to that State. 

“ 30—The tariff on imported goods is reduced. 

Aug. 3—President Polk vetoes the River and Harbor Bill. 

“ 8—He vetoes the French Spoliation Bill. 

“ 18—Gen. Kearney takes possession of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and 
declared the U. S. authority established over the people. 

“ 33—California is at this time entirely in the possession of U. S. forces. 

Sept. 5—Gen. Taylor, with 6,000 men, commences his march on Monterey. 

“ 31—Gen. Worth, with 650 men, fights the Mexicans near Monterey. 

“ 33—The “Bishops Palace,” strongly fortified, is stormed and taken. 

The previous attacks were directed on the rear of Monterey. An 
advance is now made in front with success. 

“ 33—The defenses are assaulted in front and rear. The city surrenders. 
Gen. Ampudia, the Mexican commander, had about 10,000 men 
and very strong fortifications. A truce of some weeks was agreed 
upon. Gen. Santa Anna having recently come into power, it was 
thought peace would be made. This proved delusive. 

Oct. 35—Tobasco bombarded by the U. S. fleet, and the Mexican vessels in 
the port taken or destroyed. 

N(.w. 14—Tampico surrenders to Com. Connor. 

Dec. 35—Battle of Bracito. Col. Doniphan, with 500 men, defeats a Mexi¬ 
can force of 1,300. Mexican loss 300, American but 7 wounded, 
none killed. 

1847. 

Jan. 8—The Mexican Congress votes $15,000,000 to carry on the war, to be 
raised on the property of the church. 

Feb. 33—The larger part of Gen. Taylor’s army was withdrawn from him 
to support Gen. Scott in his march from Vera Cruz on the city of 


THE MEXICAN WAR. 


547 


Mexico. Gen. Taylor, with only 4,500 men, is attacked by Santa 
Anna with 20,000 men. Santa Anna is completely defeated with a 
loss in killed and wounded of 2,000. American loss 264 killed, 
450 wounded, 26 missing. 

Mar. 1—Gen. Kearney proclaims California annexed to the United States. 

“ 3—A bill admitting Wisconsin into the Union passed. 

“ 0—Gen. Scott landed 12,000 men at Vera Cruz. 

“ 18—The cannonade of Vera Cruz commences. 

“ 26—Vera Cruz capitulates to Gen. Scott. 

Apr. 18—The battle of Cerro Gordo. Santa Anna is defeated. He had 
12,000 men. Gen. Scott 8,500. The Mexicans lost 1,100 in killed 
and wounded, and 3,000 prisoners. Gen. Scott lost in killed and 
wounded, 430. The Mexicans were vigorously pursued April 19, 
and the city of Jalapa taken possession of. 

“ 22—Gen. Worth takes possession of the town and castle of Perote. 

May 15—Puebla is entered. It is the second city in Mexico. 

Offers of peace were now made by the Americans but rejected by 
the Mexicans. 

Aug. 11—The army advances to the neighborhood of the city of Mexico. 

“ 19—The battle of Contreras. Americans successful in cutting the 
enemy’s communications. The Americans march in the night to 
attack a fortified camp which is carried at sunrise. American 
force 4,500, Mexican 7,000. Mexican loss in killed, wounded and 
prisoners, about 4,000; American, 66. 

“ 20—Cherubusco, a fortified hill, stormed and taken by Gen. Worth 
with 9,000 men. An armistice is now agreed on, and peace 
offered, but the Mexicans still hold to their first terms, and refuse 
to give up territory. 

Sept. 8—The Mexicans determine to yield only to absolute force, and the 
American army again advances. Battles of Molinos del Rey, and 
Casa Mata. The Mexicans are largely superior in numbers and 
fight with determined valor, but are overcome. American loss 800. 

“ 13—Battle of Chapultepec. This fortress was the last exterior defense 

to the City of Mexico. It was once the site of the “ Palace of the 
Montezumas.” The Mexican force within and outside the fortress 
20,000. The American force 7,180. Mexican loss in killed, 
wounded, prisoners and deserted, about 14,000; American, 900. 
A part of the army gained a foothold in the City of Mexico. 

“ 14—Gen. Scott enters Mexico in triumph. 

Oct. 9—Battle of Huamantla. Santa Anna again defeated. 

18—Again at Attixco, with heavy loss. Santa Anna is now deserted 
by his troops, and resigns his office. 

Nov. 11—The Mexican Congress assembles, and appoints commissioners 
to treat for peace. 


548 


HISTORY OF THE U. S. 


1848. 

Feb. 2—X treaty of peace signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo (a town four miles 
from Mexico). 

“ 23—John Quincy Adams expires at Washington. 

May 20—The treaty having been ratified by the President and Senate of 
the U. S., March 10, it was followed by that of the Mexican gov¬ 
ernment on this day. 

-23—Peace was proclaimed in the American camp. 

The war was now over. The Mexicans relinquished all claim to 
Texas, and ceded Upper California and New Mexico to the United 
States. In return the United States gave them $18,500,000 of which 
$3,500,000 was due by a former treaty to citizens of this country 
and paid them by our government. 

It will not be easy for an American to wiiolly condemn an act 
that gave us California and the fertile valleys and vast mining 
territory of the Pacific slope as well as New^ Mexico, or the chas¬ 
tisement which the Mexicans had merited for their barbarity;, 
though he may blame the eagerness for the acquisition of territory 
and the support of slavery that led us to invade another country 
and humble her pride. The ability of Americans as soldiers 
wmuld appear by this war to be unrivalled, and, in that view 
arouses our pride. The moral sense of the world must ever be 
shocked by war, though there seem many cases in which it is far 
the least of tw^o evils. Our government was fairly generous so far 
as it dared be in dealing with the vanquished, as soon as its 
demands for territory were satisfied. It is also evident that this 
territory will be better developed and governed than would have 
been the case under Mexican rule. 

Aug. 14—Oregon receives a Territorial government. 

Nov. —Gen. Taylor was elected President this month and Millard Fill¬ 
more Vice-President. 

1849. 

Jan. 26—Postal treaty with England concluded. 

Mar. 3—Minnesota receives a Territorial government. 

“ 4—Gen. Taylor inaugurated President. 

May 7—Gen. Worth, a very gallant officer of the Mexican war, died. 

Sept. —A State Constitution is formed by the people of California, which 
excludes slavery. 

Dec. 31—The House of Representatives ballots 63 times for a speaker, and 
now elects Howell Cobb, of Geo. 

Gold w^as discovered in California, in Feb. 1848, and through 
1849 emigrants—gold seekers — were arriving there by tens of 
thousands. By the end of this year it was a populous region. 
The mass of American immigrants were from the northern States, 
and disapproved of slavery, while the special end of the Mexican 


HISTOEY OF THE U. S. 


549 


'^N^ar was to procure more territory for that institution. At this 
time a violent contest was waged in Congress over that admission. 
It was not ended until late in the following year. 

1850. 

Jan. —Gen. Twiggs obtains the consent of the Seminoles of Florida to 
emigrate to the Indian Territory. 

Feb. 13—President Taylor sends the constitution of California to Congress. 
There were many threats of secession in case California was 
admitted free. 

Mar. 7—Mr. Webster’s great speech for the Union. 

May 8—The “ Omnibus Bill ” reported by Henry Claj". 

“ 18—A private expedition from the south under command of Lopez 
invades Cuba. They are driven off with a loss of 30 killed and 
executed as pirates, on the 19th. The remainder returned to Key 
West on the 22d of the same month. 

July 9—Death of President Taylor. Fillmore becomes acting President. 

Sept. 9-20—A committee of thirteen, of which Henry Clay was chairman, 
had been appointed Apr. 19th, and they had prepared four meas¬ 
ures forming a compromise between the North and South as to 
slavery, which were debated and passed into laws, receiving the 
concurrence of the President: First, the South conceded to the 
North fhe admission of California as a free State, and the aboli¬ 
tion of the slave trade in the District of Columbia; Second, the 
North conceded to the South a stringent Fugitive Slave Law, and 
the organization of Territorial Governments in New Mexico and 
Utah without mention of slavery, but in the understanding that 
the}^ were finally to form slave States. Tlie real gain was to the 
North, as anti-slavery was advanced two steps, while the Fugitive 
Law could not be generally enforced in the North from the invin¬ 
cible aversion of the people to it, and the Southern people were 
not sufficiently migratory in their habits to introduce slavery into 
distant regions not naturally adapted to that institution. Still the 
question was laid aside for the present. 

Nov. 19—Richard M. Johnson, a former Vice-President of the U. S., died. 

Dec. 16—A treaty of Amity and Commerce ratified with Switzerland. 

1851. 

]\Iar. 3—A cheap postage law passed by Congress. 

John C. Calhoun, the most eminent of Southern Statesmen, died. 

1852. 

June 28—Henry Clay, orator and Statesman, died. 

July 3—A branch mint established at San Francisco, Cal. 

Oct. 24—Daniel Webster died. These three were the ablest and most 
esteemed statesmen of their day. 

Nov. —The seventeenth presidential election occurred. Franklin Pierce 
was elected. He was the Democratic nominee. Gen. Scott, Whig, 
was defeated. 


550 


IIISTOKY OF THE U. S. 


1853. 

Mar. 4—Pierce inaugurated President. 

Aug. 11—Proclamation of President Pierce against the invasion of Cuba 
bv armed Americans. 

1854. 

Mar. 23—An important treaty of commerce negotiated with the empire of 
.Japan by Com. Perry, which opened a new era in the progress of 
that country, and of United States commerce and influence in Asia. 

May 30—The failure of the compromise measures of 1850 to realize the 
hopes of the South from the rapid development of anti-slavery 
views in the North caused the subject to be again agitated, and the 
Missouri Compromise, which stopped the formation of slave States 
north of its south boundary line, was repealed; the question of the 
admission of slavery into I^ansas and Nebraska, both being north 
of that line, being referred by the famous “ Kansas-Nebraska Bill ” 
to the “squatters,” or first settlers. This was called “squatter 
sovereignty.” This measure gave satisfaction to the South, but 
was strongly reprobated by many of the Northern people. Both 
sides prepared to renew the contest there, and civil war raged in 
Kansas for near three years. Each side sought to secure its end 
which terminated in favor of the North. The South could not 
compete with it in numbers nor drive the extra -numbers away. 
This was the last hope of the South for preserving equilibrium in 
the general government. 

The Democratic party in the North, anxious to soothe and concil¬ 
iate the South, and not holding so advanced opinions against 
slavery, was still strong enough to maintain itself in power in the 
administration; but the Republican party, formed about this 
time by the dissolution of the Whig part 3 q constantly grew in 
numbers and influence, and, by the end of the next administration 
its numbers were so large and the ultimate result so certain that 
the South resolved on secession rather than give up their favorite 
institution. 

1855. 

Feb. 24—The Court of Claims, an important relief to Congress and to 
claimants against the government, was established in Washington, 
by Congress. 

1856. 

Mar. 4—A Free State Legislature assembles in Kansas. It adoptea a con¬ 
stitution and prepared to apply for admission into the Union. 

Nov. —The eighteenth presidential election took place. James Buchanan 
was elected against J. C. Fremont and Millard Fillmore. 
Buchanan was the Democratic candidate; Fremont, Republican, 
and Fillmore, American, or “ know nothing ” candidate. 


THE SIYIL WAR. 


551 


1857. 

Feb. 2 Nathaniel Banks of Mass., a Republican, is elected Speaker of the 
House of Representatives. It had required two months and 133 
ballotings to settle this point; indicating the nearly equal balance 
of parties, and the hnal success of the Republican element in the 
popular branch of Congress. 

Mar. 4—Buchanan inaugurated President. 

The next three years (after the decision of the Kansas troubles) 
were marked by the unnatural quiet that forebodes the storm. 
Anti-slavery feeling was maturing in the North, and discontent 
and secession tendencies in the South. 

1858. 

May 11—Minnesota admitted into the Union as a State. 

1859. 

Feb. 14—Oregon admitted into the Union as a State. The admission of 
these two without any corresponding ones in the South indicated 
the strength of Northern sentiment, and that the South had given 
up the struggle in that way. John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, 
in this year, as showing the tone of Northern feeling, still further 
estranged the South from the Union. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CIYIL WAK 

Was the inevitable result of an antagonism of interests, sentiments, and 
social structure in the two great sections of the Union—the North and the 
South. The foundation of these tendencies was laid before the formation 
of the Union, in early colonial times. The conflict commenced as soon as 
a close union was attempted, and the Constitution was adopted only 
through the personal influence of Washington and other statesmen of that 
time, and from the general conviction that it was essential to the protection 
of the new nation from England and other European powers. Some pro¬ 
visions of the Constitution involved a compromise between the North and 
the South; and a constant series of compromises was required to be 
arranged from time to time, down to this period. 

The institution of slavery it was believed by many of the revolutionary 
fathers, would expire of itself at no distant time; but the value of the 
cotton cultivated at the South, and the intimate relations that slavery 
bore to the social life, made it profitable and agreeable to that section, 
and they held to it with great tenacity. Meanwhile the compromises of 
the Constitution grew more and more disagreeable to the North. The 
requirement of that instrument—that persons held to service in the South, 



552 


THE CIVIL WAR. 


and becoming fugitives in the North, should be returned by them — was 
objected to on humane and religious grounds, and they found slavery an 
industrial embarrassment. The enterprise and vigor of the northern pop¬ 
ulation gave their section a more rapid growth, and its political power 
became continually greater. 

But three ways of peacefully avoiding the conflict were open: the North 
must fully carry out the spirit of concession that gave birth to the Union, 
the South must consent, sooner or later, to abolish its peculiar institu¬ 
tions, or they must agree to separate. Interest, habit, and the aristocratic 
pride of the South forbade the second; while, in the North, interest, relig¬ 
ious sentiment, and the workingman’s pride as decidedly forbade the first. 
The natural relation of the two sections, especially by the Mississippi and 
Ohio rivers, so essential to the commercial interests of the Western States: 
the improbability of maintaining amicable intercourse, with slavery in 
the South, and fugitives from it to produce constant irritation; the 
apparent probability that, if the right of dissolution were conceded, the 
West, and the Pacific States would follow this example; and the convic¬ 
tion that the true interests of the whole country, internal and externab 
required an indissoluble Union, inspired tbe majority of the northern 
people to resist disunion at every cost. On the other hand, the South 
claimed the right to depart in peace. Thus, war was inevitable; nor can 
it be correctly affirmed that any party, or any generation, or either section 
of the Union, was properly responsible for so lamentable a result. Each 
section, generation, and party follows the line of its own interest, ideas, 
and habits. It is a law of humanity, and each sees therein its duty and 
pleasure. While interests do not clash very seriously, while ideas are not 
sharply and clearly defined, and while habits are yet unsettled, compro¬ 
mises may be readily eftected. Humanity, taken together, in the most 
advanced society heretofore known to men, is not yet capable of views so 
high, liberal, and far-seeing as to free it from .the possibility of such con¬ 
flicts. It will, however, reach that height, in the course of time. 

We could not reasonably have expected either the North or the South to 
have acted differently from what they did. While so gigantic a war was 
an immense evil; to allow the right of peaceable secession would have 
been ruin to the enterprise and thrift of the industrious laborer, and keen¬ 
eyed business man of the North. It would have been the greatest calamity 
of the age. War was less to be feared. 

The Southerner, generous, warm blooded, accustomed to rule and make 
his own will the law of others in his home, courageous and fiery, could 
not give way. Besides secession would be less damaging to him. He 
would own the outlets to much of Northern commerce, he had a bond of 
union of tlie Southern States in the the common institution of slavery, and 
a monopoly of the world’s cotton that must soon secure profitable alliances 
in Europe. Secession was commenced peaceably, and the Southern gov¬ 
ernment fairly consolidated before the trumpet sounded to battle. The 


TIIE CIVIL WAR. 


553 


Democratic party, then in possession of the administration of the general 
government, had long been in close relations with the South. It was 
impossible for it to realize the momentous character of the crisis, or to 
help sympathizing more or less with the views and feelings of the South; 
it was near the close of its period of rule; and it left the active manage¬ 
ment of the herculean difficulties of the situation to the incoming admin¬ 
istration of the Republican party. The whole country was quiet, failing, 
perhaps, as well as the Democrats, to realize the significance of the events 
taking place. It was a period of breathless waiting for what would come 
next. The signal was given by the South. Fort Sumpter in South Caro¬ 
lina, a national fort, was bombarded April 12th, 1861. It was an electric 
shock. The North answered the summons by a note of defiance, and mus¬ 
tered for war. 

The South was better prepared, more alert, more accustomed to arms, 
and secured, at first, many advantages. She also had the advantage of 
being on the defensive when the contest became close. But, as the months 
ran into years, the courage and iron resolution of the North did not falter. 
She had the advantage of numbers, of the general government, of wealth, 
and of naval force. Step by step she conquered, holding all she gained, 
grew skillful and wise by defeat, and, April 8th, 1865, the main army of the 
Confederates surrendered, and the war was over; the gallant South suc¬ 
cumbed to the plucky North. It was a predestined conclusion. The free 
States were necessarily the strongest, and their strength was supported and 
inspired by religious sentiment and enthusiasm. The Union, so important 
to the world and to civil liberty, was preserved, but at fearful cost. 

Probably 500,000 lives were sacrificed altogether, on both sides; and 
eight or nine billions of dollars. The desolation of the South, which had 
been mainly the theater of these mighty conflicts; the extreme change in 
pecuniary circumstances and social life there; the affliction, to freemen, of 
the subjection, however mild and temperate, necessary under the circum¬ 
stances to be imposed, for the time, by the federal government; the great 
loss of valuable life to both sides; the immense debt of the govern¬ 
ment, with the unavoidable demoralization of certain parts of society, 
everywhere, by the license of war, and many other evils form the dark side 
of the picture. 

Yet, nothing could outweigh the value of the Union especially when 
freed from the discordant element that now disappeared. It must be long 
before all wounds can be healed. When that time shall come both North 
and South will be recompensed for all they have suffered. 

1860. 

jq-QV. 6—Four parties contested this election: the Republicans voted for 
Abraham Lincoln — the Democrats for Stephen A. Douglas and 
J. C. Breckenridge. The old Whigs or Peace party, ignoring the 
dangerous political strife, voted for John Bell. Lincoln was 


554 


THE CIVIL WAR. 


elected. A simple majority of electoral votes would have been 
157. He received 180. 

“ 7—News of Lincoln’s election received in South Carolina with cheers 
for a Southern Confederacy. 

“ 9—An attempt made to seize the arms in Ft. Moultrie. 

“ 10—South Carolina Legislature propose to raise 10,000 men. 

Election of convention to consider secession ordered. 

Jas. Chester, U. S. Senator from South Carolina, resigned. 

“ 11—Senator Hammond, of South Carolina, resigneil. 

“ 15—Governor Letcher, of Virginia, calls an extra session of the Legis¬ 
lature. 

“ 18—Georgia Legislature appropriate $1,000,000 to arm the State. 

Major Anderson sent to Ft. Moultrie to relieve Col. Gardiner. 

“ 19—Gov. liloore calls an extra session of Louisiana Legislature. 

Dec. 1—Florida Legislature order the election of a convention. 

Great secession meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. 

“ 8—Congress assembles. President Buchanan denies the right of a 

State to secede, and asserts the propriety of coercion. 

“ 5—Election of secession delegates to South Carolina Convention. 

“ 10—Howell Cobb, U. S. Sec. of Treasury, resigned; P. F. Thomas, of 
Maryland, appointed in his place. Senator Clay, of Ala., resigned. 
Louisiana Legislature orders the election of a Convention, and 
appropriates $500,000 to arm the State. 

“ 13—Extra session of the Cabinet held to consider if Ft. Moultrie shall 
be reinforced. President opposed, and reinforcements not sent. 

“ 14—Gen. Lewis Cass, U. S. Sec. of State, resigns. J. S. Black, of Pa., 
appointed. 

“ 17—South Carolina Convention assembles. 

“ 18—Crittenden Compromise proposed in U. S. Senate. 

“ 19—Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, refuses to receive Mississippi Commis¬ 
sioners. 

“ 20—South Carolina Convention unanimously adopts a Secession Ordi¬ 
nance. 

“ 22—Crittenden Compromise rejected in Senate Committee. 

“ 24:—People of Pittsburg, Pa., stop shipment of military stores, from 
the arsenal there, to Southern forts. 

Gov. Moore calls extra session of Alabama Legislature. Election 
to Alabama Convention; secession majority over 50,000. 

South Carolina Members of U. S. House of Representatives resign. 
“ 25—Maj. Anderson abandons Ft. Moultrie for Ft. Sumter, Charleston 
Harbor. He has only 111 men. 

South Carolina Commissioners arrive in Washington. President 
Buchanan declines to receive them. 

“ 28—South Carolina authorities seize Castle Pinckney, Ft. Moultrie, 
U. S. Custom-House, and other government property, at Charleston. 


THE CIVIL WAE. 


555 


29—John B. Floyd, U. S. Sec. of War, resigns. Joseph Holt, of Ky., 
appointed. 

31—South Carolina sends Commissioners to Slave States to arrange 
the organization of a Southern Confederacy. 

1861. 

Ian. 2—Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, takes possession of Ft. Macon. 

Georgia troops seize Fts. Pulaski and Jackson, and U. S. Arsenal, 
at Savannah. 

4— Gov. Moore, of Ala., seizes Ft. Morgan, and U. S. Arsenal at 
Mobile. 

Fast Day by proclamation of President. 

7—State Conventions of Alabama and Mississippi, and State Legisla¬ 
tures of Virginia and Tennessee assemble. 

5— Jacob Thompson, U. S. Sec. of Interior, resigns. Fts. Johnson 
and Caswell, North Carolina, seized by State authorities. 

“ 9—P- S. steamer. Star of the West, fired on in Charleston Harbor 

and driven away. 

Mississippi Convention adopt Secession Ordinance. Vote 84 to 15. 

“ 10—Florida Convention secedes by vote of 62 to 7. Florida authori¬ 
ties seize Ft. McRae. 

“ 11—Alabama secedes by vote in Convention of 61 to 39. P. F. 
Tliomas, U. S. Sec. of Treasury, resigns. John A. Dix appointed. 
The Governor of Mississippi siezes Forts Philip and Jackson, on 
the Mississippi river; Forts Pike and Macomb, on Lake Pontchar- 
train; and U. S. Arsenal at Baton Rouge. 

“ 13—Florida takes possession of Pensacola Navy Yard and Ft. Barran¬ 

cas. Lieut. Slemmer, in command of Ft. Pickens, ordered by 
Com. Armstrong to deliver the Fort to Florida, refuses, and pre¬ 
serves that important post to the government of the Union. 

“ 16—Legislature of Arkansas calls a Convention. Col. Hayne, of South 

Carolina, demands of the President the surrender of Ft. Sumter, 
and is refused. Missouri Legislature order a convention to con¬ 
sider secession. 

“ 18—The Legislature of Virginia appropriate $1,000,000 for the defense 

of the State. 

“ 19—Georgia adopts Secession Ordinance by vote of 208 to 89. 

“ 21—Members of Congress from Alabama resign. 

“ “ Jefierson Davis resigns his seat in the U. S. Senate. 

23—Georgia members of Congress resign. 

“ 24—U. S. Arsenal, Augusta, Geo., seized. 

“ 26—Louisiana Legislature passes Secession Ordinance. Vote 113 to 17. 

“ 29—Kansas, the thirty-fourth State, admitted into the Union. 

» 30—North Carolina Legislature submits the question of calling a Con¬ 
vention to the people. 


556 


THE CIVIL WAR. 


“ “ Revenue cutters Cass, at Mobile, and McClelland, at New Orleans, 

surrendered to Southern authorities. 

Peb. 1—Texas Convention passes Secession Ordinance, to he submitted to 
the people. Vote, 166 to 7. Louisiana government seize the U. S. 
Mint and Custom House, at New Orleans. 

“ 4—Peace Convention of Delegates from eighteen States, assembles at 

Washington; ex-President Tyler presides. 

“ “ Delegates from seceded States meet at Montgomery, Ala., to 

organize a Confederate G-overnment. 

“ “ John Slidell and Judah P. Benjamin. U. S. Senators from Louis¬ 
iana, resign their seats. 

“ 9—Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stevens elected provisional 

Pi-esident and Vice-President of Confederate States, for one year. 

“ 13—Electoral vote counted. Abraham Lincoln received 180 votes; S. 

A. Douglas, 12; J. C. Breckenridge, 72; John Bell, 39. Majority 
required to elect, 157. 

“ 18—Ft. Kearney, Kansas, seized by Southern forces. 

“ 23—Gen. Twiggs, U. S. commander in Texas, delivered his army pris¬ 
oners of w'ar, and U. S. property valued at $1,200,000 to Confederate 
authorities. 

“ 28—Territorial Government organized in Colorado. 

Mar. 1—Gen. Twiggs expelled from the army. Peace Congress adjourned. 

“ 2—Territorial government organized in Dacotah and Nevada. 

“ Revenue cutter Dodge surrendered to the South, at Galveston, 
Texas. 

“ 4—Abraham Lincoln inaugurated 14th regular President of the 

United States. 

“ “ The people of Texas having voted for the Secession Ordinance by 
40,000 majority, the Convention declared the State out of the Union. 

“ 5—Gen. Beauregard takes command of Southern forces, at Charleston. 

“ 6—Ft. Brown, on the Rio Grande, surrenders to Confederate troops. 

Federal troops evacuated the fort and sailed for Key West, Florida. 

“ Confederate Senate confirm nominations of President Davis to his 
Cabinet, viz.: R. Toombs, of Geo., Sec. of State; C. S. Memminger, 
of South Carolina, Sec. of Treasury; L. P. Walker, of Ala., Sec. of 
War; S. R. Mallory, of Fla., Sec. of Navy; J. H. Reagan, of Texas, 
Postmaster Gen.; J. P. Benjamin, of La., Attorney General. 

“ 11—The Constitution of Confederate States adopted in convention at 

Montgomery, Ala.; afterivards ratified by the several States. 

“ 28—Vote of Louisiana on secession—20,448 for, 17,926 against—made 
public. 

“ 30—Mississippi Convention ratifies the Confederate Constitution, by 
78 to 70. 

Apr. 3—South Carolina Convention ratifies Confederate Constitution, by 
114 to 6. 


FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR. 


557 


Apr. 4—Virginia Convention refuse to present a Secession Ordinance to 
the people, by a vote of 89 to 45. 

“ 7—Intercourse between Ft. Sumter and Charleston stopped % order 

of Gen. Beauregard. 


CHAPTEE XXIY. 

FIEST PHASE OF THE WAR 

Each side hesitated to strike the first blow; but the South, being best 
prepared, and to end a suspense that threatened to be hurtful to their 
cause, opened the conflict by the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. Each 
now hastened preparations with vigor. Yet so long had been the intimate, 
friendly relations, that neither could believe in a long, deadly struggle. 
More than three months passed, during which frequent skirmishes oc¬ 
curred ; but the leaders avoided bringing on a general battle. The Southern 
forces advanced toward Washington, but stopped short of an attack, 
sending out small bodies to make trial eflforts, and get possession of impor¬ 
tant points. 

The battle of Bull Run was the first great, serious combat. The brilliant 
bravery of Southern troops would have been overcome but for an oppor¬ 
tune reinforcement at the decisive moment. The leaders did not feel it 
safe to pursue the vanquished Federals to Washington. There was a large 
reserve force there. Thus, if they won a battle they lost the object sought— 
the capture of the national Capital—and the Union forces, though defeated, 
gained the most important point—the protection of Washington. 

Both sides now recognized the magnitude of the undertaking; the 
indomitable resolution of their opponents; and the need of thoroughly 
disciplining their troops, of organizing all branches of the military and 
naval service, and gathering stores, and distributing forces in accordance 
with the plan proposed by each. 

This period continued until Feb., 1862. The U. S. Navy was increased 
from 42 vessels at the beginning of the \^ar to about 300 at the close of this 
preparatory period. These blockaded the South and served for transport and 
attack. Two series of operations were planned by the U. S. government 
for the land forces: one in the Mississippi Valley and one in Virginia. 
In the meantime the Confederate leaders saw that it was impossible to 
invade the North as they had proposed without long preparation and large 
armies. They organized with speed but were thrown on the defensive. 

1861. 

Apr. 7—Steamer Atlantic, with troops and supplies for Ft. Sumter, sailed 
from New York. 

“ 8—The Federal Government notified South Carolina that provisions 

would be sent to Maj. Anderson, by force, if necessary. 



658 


FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR. 


U. S. State Department refused to recognize the Commissioners 
from the Confederate States. 

“ 11—Trooi)s are gathered in Washington, and oath of allegiance admin¬ 
istered. Confederate Commissioners leave Washington. 

Gen. Beauregard demands the surrender of Ft. Sumter. Maj. 
Anderson refuses. 

Bombardment of Ft. Sumter. 

« 12—This was the real commencement of the Civil War. Batteries 
were constructed on Morris and Sullivan islands, and Cumming’s 
Point. The Confederate forces employ Ft. Moultrie, and a floating 
battery, in addition, against Ft. Sumter. 

The South Carolina Legislature appropriate $500,000 to arm the 
State. 

Ft. Pickens is reinforced by the U. S. government. 

« 14 —Fort Sumter was reduced to a mass of ruins, its fire silenced, and 
Maj. Anderson capitulated with the honors of war, and evacuated 
the fort, sailing for New York. 

Gov. Yates, of Illinois, called an extra session of Legislature to 
meet April 22. 

15 —The President issues a proclamation commanding all in arms 
against the government to disperse in 20 days; calling also for 
75,000 volunteers to defend Washington; and the New York Leg¬ 
islature authorizes the raising of $3,000,000 for their equipment 
and support. 

The President calls an extra session of Congress, for July 4. 

“ 16—The governors of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri 
refuse to furnish troops, under the President’s proclamation. 

The Confederate government calls for 32,000 men. 

« 17 —^The Virginia Convention, in secret session, adopt a Secession 
Ordinance, to be submitted to the people in May. The vote was 
60 to 53. 

Virginia forces sent to seize U. S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, and 
Gosport Navy Yard, at Portsmouth. 

All the military power of the State of Virginia placed under the 
control of President Davis. 

Jefferson Davis issues a proclamation oflering Letters of Marque 
and Reprisal to privateers against Federal commerce. 

“ 18—U. S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry destroyed by Federal troops, to 
prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. 

Col. Coke, with 400 of 25th Penn, regiment, arrives in Washington 
for its defense. 

“ 19—U. S. steamer Star of the West seized at Indianola, Texas. 

Massachusetts troops on the way to Washington, attacked by a 
mob in Baltimore. Troops fired on the mob. Blood shed on both 
sides. 


FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR. 559 

President issues a proclamation declaring the coast from North 
Carolina to Texas in a state of blockade. 

Military department of Washington covering Maryland, Delaware, 
and Pennsylvania, put under command of Gen. Patterson. 

City Council of Philadelphia appropriate $1,000,000 to equip vol¬ 
unteers, and support their families. 

“ 20—Governor of North Carolina seizes U. S. Branch Mint, at Charlotte. 
Bridges and railroads in Maryland destroyed by Secessionists, to 
prevent passage of troops to Washington. 

U. S. Navy Yard, at Gosport, and property worth $25,000,000, 
destroyed by the Federals in charge, to prevent their falling into 
the hands of the enemy. Eight vessels of war were destroyed, and 
one, the Cumberland, was towed out. 

Massachusetts troops arrive at Fortress Monroe. 

Gov. Curtin calls special meeting of Penn. Legislature, for 
April 30th. 

“ 21—Federal government takes possession of Philadelphia and Balti¬ 
more railroad. 

Senator Andrew Johnson mobbed at Lynchburg, Va. 

“ 22—U. S. Arsenals in North Carolina and Arkansas seized. 

“ 24—Fort Smith Arkansas, seized. Cairo, Ill., occupied by Union 
troops. 

Maj. Sibley surrenders 450 U. S. troops to Col. Van Dorn, in Texas. 
“ 26—Gov. Brown, of Geo., forbids payment of debts to Northern people. 
“ 27—A steamer at Cairo, loaded with military stores for the South, 
seized. 

Blockade extended to ports of Virginia and North Carolina. 

“ 29—The Maryland House of Delegates votes against secession, 63 to 13. 
Governors Harris of Tennessee and Moore of Louisiana seize gov¬ 
ernment property. 

May 1—The Legislature of N. C. and Tenn. prepare for formal secession. 
“ 3—President Lincoln calls for 82,714 additional troops. 

Fourteen companies of Kentucky troops offer themselves to the 
government, though the Governor had refused a levy. 

“ 4—Gen. McClellan takes command of the department of the Ohio. 

“ 6—Virginia admitted into the Confederacy. Tennessee and Arkansas 

pass Ordinances of Secession. 

“ 10—A rebel force in St. Louis surrenders to Capt. Lyon. 

Gen. R. E. Lee takes command of Southern troops in Virginia. 

“ 13—Convention called at Wheeling to organize a new State. 

“ 14—Vessels with stores and property for the South seized at Baltimore. 

“ 15—Massachsetts offers U. S. Government $7,000,000 to carry on the war. 
“ 16—Gen. Scott orders the fortification of Arlington Heights. 

“ 17—Confederates commence fortifying Harpers Ferry. 

“ 18 —Gen. Butler takes command of Department of Virginia. 


560 


FIRST PHASE <)F THPJ 'VAR. 


“ 19—Sewalls Pt. attacked by U S. steamers. Two schooners, with 
Southern troops, captured. 

“ 20—iSTorth Carolina formally secedes. Kentucky proclaimed neutral. 

" 21—Southerners blockade the Mississippi at Memphis. 

“ 24—Alexandria and Arlington Heights occupied by Union troops. 

26— Western Virginia voted largely in favor of the Union. 

27— One hundred slaves fled to Fortress Monroe. Gen. Butler declared 
them “ contraband ” of war. 

‘‘ —Two steamers engage the rebel batteries at Acquia Creek. 

June 1—Various skirmishes between parties of the hostile armies. 

3—Senator S. A. Douglas, of Illinois, died. 

Battle of Philippi, Va. Union Col. Kelly wounded but victorious. 
Gen. Beauregard assumed command of Confederate forces at 
Manassas Junction. Voluntary contributions of northern States 

, in aid of the Government over .$32,000,000. __ 

Battle of Bio Bethel. 

“ 10—Three Federal regiments defeated. 16 killed, 41 wounded. 

“ 11—Skirmish at Romney. Wheeling Convention meets. 

“ 14—Harper’s Ferry evacuated and burnt by Southern forces. 

“ 15—Confederate privateer. Savannah, brought, a i^rize, to New York. 

“ 17—Wheeling Convention of Unionists determine to make West Vir¬ 
ginia an independent State. 

“ 18—Battle of Booneville, Mo. Gen. Lyon defeats Confederate Gen. 
Price. 

“ 20—At Cole Camp, Mo., Union men defeated; at Liberty, Mo., South¬ 
erners overcome. 

“ 23—Forty-eight locomotives of Baltimore and Ohio R. R. destroyed 
by Southern forces; value, $400,000. 

“ 26—President Lincoln recognizes the Wheeling government as that 
of Virginia. 

“ 29—Southern privateer, Sumter, escapes through blockade at New 
Orleans. 

July 2—Battle near Martinsburg, Va., Gen. Patterson, Union, and Gen. 
Jackson, Confederate. 

“ 3—Southern men captured at Neosho, Mo. Consisted of 94 men. 

“ 4—Southern forces seize Louisville and Nashville railroad. 

“ 5 —Congress assemble at Washington. President calls for 400,000 vol¬ 

unteers, and $400,000,000 to put down the rebellion. 

Battle of Carthage, between Sigel, Union, and Gen. Jackson, 
Southern, Gen. Sigel retreated. 

“ 11—Nine Southern Senators expelled from U. S. Congress. 

“ 12—Battle of Rich Mountain, Va. Col. Rosecrans, Union, defeated 
Col. Pegram, taking 800 prisoners and his camp stores. 

“ 13—Confederates under Gen. Garnett, defeated at Garrick’s Ford, by 
Gen. Morris. Gen. Garnett killed. 


FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR. 


561 


“ 15—Col. Stuart, commanding Confederate cavalry, attacks Union 
forces at Bunker Hill, Va., and is defeated. 

“ 10—Skirmishes at Millville, Mo., and Barboursville, Va. 

“ 18—Outposts of the two armies light at Blackburn’s Ford, on Bull 
Run, some 20 miles from Washington. Southern troops withdraw. 

Battle of Bull Bun. 

^ 21—This was the first great battle. The Confederate government aims 
at the capture of Washington. Their forces, under Gen. Beaure¬ 
gard, about 22 , 000 , afterwards strengthened by 0 , 000 , are attacked 
by Union army under Gen. McDowell, with 28,000 men. It turns 
in favor of McDowell until arrival of Confederate reinforcement 
of 0,000, when Union army was totally defeated, the fugitives fly¬ 
ing in great disorder to the defenses of Washington. -Yet Con¬ 
federates lost more in wounded, and failed to take the National 
Capital, the preservation of which was the supreme point to the 
Union forces. The South gained the battle^ and the Union gained 
the came. 

“ 25—Gen. McClellan takes command of the Army of the Potomac. 

Aug. 1—Confederate forces at Harpers Ferry retreat to Leesburg. 

“ 2—Congress authorized the raising of 500,000 men and $500,000,000 

to suppress the insurrection, providing for the last by tax and 
tariff. 

Gen. Lyon repulses the Confederates at Dug Spring, Mo. 

“ 5—Commodore Allen bombarded Galveston, Texas. 

“ 7—Hampton, Va., burned by Southern forces. 

Batfle of Wilson’s Creek, Mo. 

“ 10—Gen. Lyon, (Union,) with about 5,000 men, attacked Gen. McCul¬ 
lough, (Confederate,) with over 10,000. Gen. Lyon killed. Fed¬ 
eral losses in killed, wounded, and missing, 1,211; Southern losses 
over 1,600. Union forces retreated to Springfield. McCullough 
too much shattered to follow. 

“ 12—President Lincoln proclaimed Sept. 30, a Fast Day. 

“ 14 —Gen. Fremont declared martial law in St. Louis. 

“ 15—President Davis ordered all northern men to leave the South in 40 
days. 

» 10 —President Lincoln forbids commercial intercourse with the South. 

u 23—Cherokee Indians take part with the South. 

28—Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, N. C., by Gen. Butler and 
Com. Stringham. 

“ 31 —Gen. Fremont proclaims freedom of slaves and confiscates prop¬ 
erty of disunionists in ‘Missouri. President Lincoln counter¬ 
mands it. 

g<.pt. i_Southerners defeated at Boonville, Va., and town destroyed. 

36 


562 


FIKST PilASE OF THE WAK. 


“ 4—Confederate Gen. Polk occupies Columbus, Ky. Southern forces, 

attempting to cross Potomac at Great Falls, repulsed. 

“ 10—Gen. Banks attacks Confederate Gen. Floyd, in intrenched camp, 

at Carnifex Ferry. Gen. Flow'd retreats in the night. 

“ 12—Battle of Cheat Mountain, a Union victory. Col. J. A. Washing, 

ton killed. 

“ 18—Secession members of Maryland Legislature imprisoned. 

“ 19—Arrest of Gov. Morehead and others for treason, in Louisville, K 3 ^ 

“ 20—Col. Morehead, Union, besieged, at Lexington, Mo., and compelled 
to surrender with over 2,000 men, after a fight of four days. 

Oct. 2—Battle of Chapmanville, Va. Confederates defeated. 

“ 3—Battle of Greenbriar, Va. Federal success. 

“ 4—Confederate success at Chicamacomico, Va. Federals retreated. 

“ 5—Steamer Monticello drives Southern forces from Chicamacomico. 

“ 7—Confederate Iron Clad Merrimac appears at Fortress Monroe. 

“ 11—Confederate Commissioners Slidell and Mason escape from 

Charleston, S. C. 

“ 16—U. S. troops recapture Lexington, Mo. Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. 
Unionists successful. 

“ 21—Battle of Balls Bluff. U. S. forces under Col. Baker, member of 
Congress, 1,900 strong, defeated with loss of 918 men. Col. Baker 
killed. 

Gen. Zollicoffer defeated b}^ U. S. troops at Camp Wild Cat, Ky. 

“ 25—Gen. Kelly gains a battle against Confederates at Romne}^ Va. 

“ 29—U. S. naval and military force of 27,000 men and 75 vessels leave 
Fortress Monroe for the South. 

Nov. 1—Gen. Scott retires from command of the Union army. Gen. 
McClellan appointed Gen. in Chief. Gen. FlojM fails in his attack 
on Gen. Rosencranz, at Gaulej^ Va. 

“ 2—Gen. Fremont superceded by Gen. Hunter in Mo. 

“ 4—Houston, Mo., taken by Union troops. 

“ 7—Com. Dupont and Gen. Sherman capture Forts Walker and Beau¬ 

regard, S. C., and occupy Beaufort and Hilton Island. 

Gen. Grant captured Confederate camp at Belmont, Mo., opposite 
Columbus. Reinforcements arriving he retired. 

“ 8—Mason and Slidell, Confederate Commissioners to Europe, were 

taken from British steamer Trent, by U. S. ship San Jacinto. On 
subsequent demand of the English government they were given up. 

“ 10—Union soldiers liaving been killed by inhabitants of Guyandotte, 
Va., the town was burnt in retaliation. 

“ 15—The San Jacinto arrived at Fortress Monroe with Slidell and 
Mason. 

“ 23—Bombardment of Pensacola, Fla., by Ft. Pickens and U. S. war 
vessels. 

“ 27—Gen. McClellan orders observance of the Sabbath in the army. 


FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR. 


563 


*' 29—Skirmish at Warsaw, Mo. Town partly destroyed. 

“ ^0—Fight at Salem, Mo, Southern forces defeated 
Dec. 3—Congress met at Washington. 

“ 4—Two Congressmen and Senator Breckenridge of Ky., expelled for 

treason. 

“ 5—Naval engagement at Cape Hatteras. 

Forces of U. S. army and navy reported very near 700,000 men. 

9—Confederate Congress declares Kentucky a State in the Southern 
Confederacy. 

“ 13—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederate Col. Johnson, at Camp Alleghany. 

“ 16—Platte City, Mo., burnt by Southern forces. 

“ 17—More than 20 vessels, filled with stone, sunk at the entrance of 

Charleston and Savannah harbors. 

18—Gen. Pope captured 1,300 Southerners and 1,000 stand of arms at 
Millford, Mo. 

“ 31—U. S. navy increased from 42 vessels at beginning of the war to 

246, of all kinds, up to this date. 

1862. 

Jan. 1—Mason and Slidell leave Ft. Warren, Boston Harbor, for England. 
“ 2—Success of Unionists on Port Royal Island, near Charleston, S. C. 

“ 4—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederates at Huntersville, Va. 

“ 7—Confederate defeat at Romney. U. S. troops capture stores in 

Tucker Co., Va. 

8—Union victory by Gen. Palmer at Silver Creek, Mo. 

“ 10—Humphrey Marshall defeated by Union troops in Kentucky. 

Senators Johnson and Polk of Mo., expelled from the U. S. Senate. 
“ 11—Simon Cameron, U. S. Sec. of War, resigned; E. M. Stanton 

appointed. 

Naval engagement on the Mississippi near the mouth of the Ohio; 
Union vessels superior. 

12—125 vessels and 15,000 troops, under Gen. Burnside, sail for the 
South. 

18—Ex-President Tyler dies. 

“ 19—Union victory at Mill Spring, Ky., by Gen. Shoepf over Gen. Zolli- 

coffer and Gen. Crittenden. Much spoil taken; Gen. Zollicoffer 
killed. 

« 27—Bishop Ames and Gov. Fish of New York appointed to visit pris¬ 
ons in the South, to look after the interests of Union prisoners. 
Confederate authorities refuse to receive them. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

THE SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR. 

The previous period, though abounding in battles, so-called, were really 
skirmishes of detached bodies without any well defined plan. It covered 
much of the surface of all the Border States, but especially Virginia and 
Missouri, and was a trial of bravery and strategy in which both parties- 
learned how to fight, and of what metal their opponents were made. 

The Second Period covered about eleven months—from the advance of 
the Federal armies on the South in West and East, in Feb., to the close of 
tlie year. 

This period is defined in its commencement, by the surrounding of the 
southern territory on nearly all sides by the Union forces, both naval and 
military; and the inauguration of aggressive movements both by sea and 
land; and in its close by the failure of the two southern Generals, Bragg 
in the West, and Lee in the East, in the endeavor to break through this 
beleagering line. It was an immense and desperate conflict. 

In the West it began by the attack of Grant on Fts. Henry and Donel- 
son, followed up by the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and various other 
operations in Tennessee and Mississippi; the advance of McClellan on 
Richmond, and his campaign in the Peninsula, his failure and return to 
Washington; the strengthening of the Southern Arm}’-, and the advance 
of Lee northward into Maryland and his defeat there. The disasters to 
the Union army in Virginia served to check the successes of the Western 
Army under Grant, Sherman, Buell, Rosecranz and others; the Confed¬ 
erate forces in the West w^ere increased under Bragg, -who checked the 
advance of U. S. troops eastward at Chattanooga, and he himself assumed 
the offensive, by invading Kentucky. He was compelled to retreat again 
to Chattanooga. Thus there was an alternation of great successes and 
great reverses on both sides. 

The Union Army commenced with about 600,000 men, and the Southern 
■with about 400,000. They both largely added to these during the cam¬ 
paign. 

Meanwhile the na-vy was not idle. A foothold was gained in South 
Carolina, and in North Carolina, as well as at Norfolk, Virginia, the 
mouth of the Missisippi was opened by Admiral Farragut, and New Or¬ 
leans captured. The compression of a vast naval and land force was^ 
applied in all directions, even west of the Mississippi. Missouri had been 
quieted by driving the organized forces into the border of Arkansas, and 
inflicting on them a heavy blow at Pea Ridge. This, however, was not 
followed up; the disasters to the Union cause in Virginia, and the rebound 
of the Confederates in East Tennessee, requiring concentration. 

The South had shown the most determined bravery, and great steadiness- 
in disaster; and activity, and ability in making the most of circumstances. 

1564) 


SECOND PHASE OF THE WAE. 


565 


The speed with which she collected other levies and armies and used them 
within the campaign greatly impressed the authorities and people of the 
Federal government. They were convinced that the blacks left at home 
to till the ground, or employed in the fortifications and other labor of the 
war, contributed much to the strength ot the South; enabling them to 
concentrate all their resources on a given point with extreme rapidity, 
and to use all their best fighting material. After so vast an outlay, to see 
their immense armies defied and the Northern States threatened with inva¬ 
sion w’as discouraging. Hitherto slavery had not been interfered with 
much, in deference to the sentiment in the Border States, and the views of 
the democratic party. The Union administration determined to weaken 
the South by abstracting as much as possible of the slave element from it 
and to use it themselves. The issue of the Proclamation of Emancipa¬ 
tion marks a Third Phase of the War. 

1862. 

Feb. 3—The Federal government decides to treat crews of privateers taken 
in arms, not as pirates, but as prisoners of war. 

“ 5—Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, expelled from the U. S. Senate. 

“ 6'—Com. Foote, acting in concert wdth Gen. Grant, advances up the 

Tennessee river in Ky., and captures Fort Henry. 

“ 8.—Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough capture forts, forces and 

w’ar material on Roanoke Island, in Albemarle Sound, N. C. 

10—Gunboats of Confederate government taken or destroyed. 

“ 12—Gen. Grant invests Ft. Donelson, on Cumberland i-iver, Ky. 

“ 13—Gen. Curtis advances to Springfield, Mo. 

U. S. Congress determine to construct 20 iron clad gunboats. 

“ 15—Bowding Green, Ky., evacuated by Southern forces. 

“ 16—Gen. Grant captures Ft. Donelson, wdth 13,300 prisoners. 

“ 18—Gen. Curtis drives Confederates out of Missouri into Arkansas. 
Confederate Congress assemble at Richmond Va. 

“ 19—^Jetferson Davis and A. H. Stevens elected permanent President 
and Vice-President of Confederate States for six years. 

“ 21—Defeat of Union forces at Clarksville, New^ Mexico. 

“ 23—Nashville, Tenn., occupied by Union forces. 

“ 27—Columbus, on the Mississippi, in Ky., evacuated by Confederates. 
Mar. 2—Severe encounter betw^een Union gunboats and Confederate bat¬ 
tery at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Union success. 

“ 3—Gen. Beauregard assumes command of Southern anny in Missis¬ 

sippi. 

“ 6-8—Gen. Curtis defeats Gen. McCullough at Pea Ridge, Ark. Curtis’ 
army 22,000, ^McCullough’s 35,000. McCullough killed. 

“ 9—First trial of Monitors. The formidable Merrimac, a Confederate 

iron clad vessel, conquered by the Monitor. 

“ 11—Gen. McClellan’s command confined to the army of the Potomac. 

“ 12—Com. Dupont takes possession of Jacksonville, Florida. 


566 


SECOND PHASE OF THE WAJ{. 


Mar.13—Confederates evacuate New Madrid, Mo., in haste, leaving $1,000,000 
of military stores. 

“ 14—Newburn, N. C., captured by Gen. Burnside. Immense stores taken. 

“ 18—Confederate fortifications at Acquia Creek, Va., evacuated. 

“ 23—Battle of Winchester, Va. Southern forces defeated. 

“ 28—Fight at Union Ranch, New Mexico. Union troops 3,000, Texans 
1,100. Result undecided. 

Apr. 6-7—Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. First day’s battle 
fought by Beauregard and Johnston, Confederate Generals, with 
40,000 available troops, by Gen. Grant with 33,000. He was sup¬ 
ported by gunboats in the Tennessee river. Attack and defense 
desperate, and the slaughter fearful. The second da}' Beauregard 
had no more than 20,000 effective men. Grant was reinforced by 
Buell, and his effective force was 45,000. It was great honor to 
Union troops not to recognize defeat on the 6th, and highly credit¬ 
able to Confederates to make a desperate stand and inflict an 
immense loss on Federals on the 7th. They were almost annihi¬ 
lated but retreated without immediate pursuit. 

“ 8—Island No. 10, Mississippi river, captured. 

“ 11—Ft. Pulaski captured by Gen, Hunter, commands entrance to 

Savannah, Geo. Gen. Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala. 

“ 12—Gen. Mitchell captures 2,000 prisoners at Chattanooga, East Ten¬ 
nessee. 

“ 16—Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia, by U. S. Congress. 

“ 18—Gen. McClellan’s advance attacked on the Peninsula, Va. 

“ 19—Successes of Union Gens. Burnside and Reno, in North Carolina. 

“ 25—Com. Farragut, passing the forts, captures New Orleans. 

“ 28—Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at mouth of Mississippi below New 
Orleans, surrender. 

“ 29—Gen. Mitchell defeats Confederates at Bridgport, Ala. 

May 1—Union cavalry captured at Pulaski, Tenn. 

“ 3—Yorktown evacuated by Southern troops. Occupied by McClellan. 

“ 5—Battle of Williamsburg Va. Lasts all day. Unionists successful. 

“ 7—Southern Gen. Lee attacks McClellan’s army but is repulsed. 

“ 8—Union Gen. Milroy repulsed at McDowell’s, Va., after a five hour’s 
fight. 

“ 9—Pensacola Fla. evacuated by Southern forces. 

“ 10—Norfolk, Va., occupied by Union forces. The Merrimac, Gosport 

Navy Yard, and vast quantities of stores destroyed by retreating 
Confederates. 

“ 15—The Agricultural Department created by Congress. 

“ 12—Natchez, on the Mississippi river, surrendered to Farragut. 

“ 17—Union forces drive Confederates over the Chickahominy, Va. 

“ 24—Southern success at Front Royal, Va., over Col. Kenley. 


SF.COND PHASE OF THE AVAR. 507 

May 25—Gen. Banks, defeated at Winchester, Va., retreats across the Po¬ 
tomac. 

“ 27—Confederates defeated at Hanover, Va. 

Union troops occupy Corinth, Mississippi. 

81 Battle of Pair Oaks. Union troops repulsed. 

Junel Battle of Fair Oaks renewed. Southern forces repulsed with 
heavy loss. 

“ (J—Gunboats capture Memphis, Tenn., and Confederate vessels. 

^ Battle of Cross Keys, Va. Gen. Freemont defeats Stonewall 
Jackson. 

14—Union forces defeated on James Island, near Charleston, S. C. 

18— Union troops occupy Cumberland Gap, Tenn. 

19— Congress prohibits slavery in the Territories. 

26—Six days tight before Richmond commenced at Mechauicsville. 
Union forces repulsed. 

** Bombardment of Vicksburg. Gen. Fremont relieved of com¬ 
mand. Battle before Richmond renewed. 

“ 28—Severe battles before Richmond; enemy repulsed at night. Union¬ 
ists fall back. 

29—Battles of Peach Orchard and Savage’s Station, Va. Federal re¬ 
pulse. 

“ 30—Battle of White Oak Swamp. McClellan continues to retreat 
toward James river. Confederates repulsed with loss. 

July 1—Battle of Malvern Hill. Southern forces repulsed. End of 6 days 
fight. 

President Lincoln calls for 600,000 volunteers. 

Internal Revenue Bill passed Congress. Polygamy forbidden in 
the United States. 

Union Pacific Railroad chartered by Congress. 

“ 7—Fight at Bayou Cache, Ark. Gen. Curtis, Union, defeats Gen. 

Pike, Southern. 

“ 9—Hamilton, N. C., captured by Federal troops. 

“ 11—Southern Gen. Morgan enters Glasgow, Ky. Gen. Halleck ap¬ 
pointed Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. armies. 

“ 13—Southern forces capture Murfreesborough, Tenn. Stores and 

prisoners taken. 

“ 17—Cynthiana, Kentucky, captured. 

18—Southern raid into Indiana. Gen. Twiggs died. 

“ 22—Siege of Vicksburg abandoned by U.-S. forces. 

This month is generally disastrous to eastern and western Union 
armies. Confederate armies become strongly aggressive, and 
advance north into Ky., and toward Maryland. 

Aug. 3—Gen. Jeff. Thompson, Confederate, defeated near Memphis, Tenn. 
“ 4—U. S. Sec. of War ordered a draft of 300,000 men to serve for nine 

months. 


568 


SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR. 


Aug. 5—Battle of Baton Rouge, La. Gen. Breckinridge defeated. 

“ 10—Battle of Cedar Mountain. Gen. Jackson fails to drive Gen. 

Banks. 

“ 16—Gen. McClellan evacuates the Peninsula. 

“ 21—Gen. Sigel obtains an important and bloody advantage on the 
Rappahannock. 

26—Confederate Gen. Ewell drives Unionists from Manassas, Va. 
Union expedition up the Yazoo river, Mississippi, is successful. 

“ 27—Gen Pope defeats Gen. Ewell at Haymarket, Va. 

“ 28—Battle of Centreville. Gen. Jackson repulsed. 

“ 29—Battle of Groveton, near Bull Run, Va. Confederates repulsed,, 
but renewed the fight next day and Gen. Pope withdrew. 

“ 30—Battle near Richmond, Ky. Union Gen. Nelson defeated with 
heavy loss. 

“ 31—Battle of Weldon, Va., a Union victory. The general operations 
of this month by the main armies east and west largely in favor 
of the South, notwithstanding heavy losses inflicted and successes 
gained in detached engagements by the U. S. troops. The armies 
under Lee and Bragg pressed on northward with incredible vigor. 
No repulses or defeats could stop their headlong rush. 

Sept. 1—The last of Gen. Pope’s battles in Va., near Washington. Two 
of his generals were killed, Kearney and Stevens. The enemy 
retired, leaving their dead and wounded. In 6 days Pope had 
lost near 10,000 in killed and wounded. 

Battle at Britton’s Lane, Tenn. Confederates fled. 

Union Army evacuate Lexington, Ky. Fight at Jackson, Tenn. 

“ 2—McClellan put in command of army for the defense of Wash¬ 

ington. 

“ 5—Confederate army cross the Potomac to Frederick, Marjdand. 

Attack on Union troops at Washington, N. C. It is repulsed, 

“ 6—Col. Lowe recaptured Clarksville, Tenn. 

“ 8—Gen. Lee issues a proclamation to the Marylanders. 

“ 9—Col. Grierson overcomes Southern forces at Coldwater, Miss. 

Union forces repel the enemy at Williamsburgh, Va. 
Fredericksburg, Va., evacuated by Southern forces. 

“ 10—Great fears of invasion in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Philadelphia 
and Cincinnati begin to prepare for an attack. 

“ 11—Ganby, Va., Maysville, Ky., and Bloomfield, Mo., taken by South¬ 
ern forces. 

“ 12—Charleston, S. C., bombarded and partially burnt. Fight on Elk 

river, Va., and at Middletown, Maryland. 

“ 13—Harper’s Ferry, Va., beseiged. It surrendered on the 15th with 
11,500 men. 

“ 14—McClellan engages Lee’s army at South Mountain, Md. Lee 


SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR. 


569 


retired toward the Potomac. The invasion of the North was 
stopped, for this time, in the East. 

Sep.16—Munfordsville, Ky., captured by Confederates and 4,000 prisoners 
taken. 

“ 17—Lee unwilling to give up his plan of invasion, makes another 

stand at Antietam creek, and a great battle was fought. Near 
100,000 men on each side. The result was indecisive, the losses 
nearly equal, both in the neighborhood of 13,000. Lee retreated 
across the Potomac in the night, and'Harper’s Ferry was evacuated. 

“ 20—Gen. Rosecrans defeats the Southerners with great loss at luka. 
Miss. 

“ 22—President Lincoln issues an Emancipation Proclamation, declar¬ 
ing all the slaves free, unless the Southern States discontinued the 
war within 100 days. 

“ 27—U. S. garrison at Augusta, Ky., surrender after a very gallant fight. 

Oct. 3—Battle of Corinth, Miss. Confederates defeated with great loss. 

“ 8-9—Battle of Perryville, Ky. Southern army having been arrested in 
its advance and obliged to retreat before Gen. Buell, turned on his 
advance and inflicted a severe blow, but are forced to resume their 
retreat. 

“ 10—Confederate cavalry, under Stuart, make a raid on Chambersburg, 

Penn. They capture 500 horses and many stores and hastily 
return to Virginia. 

“ 14—One hundred thousand dollars sent to Sanitary Commission from 

San Francisco. 

“ 15—Battle near Richmond, Ky. 

“ 19 —Gen. Forrest defeated by Union forces, near Gallatin, Texas. 

« 22—Southern defeat at Maysville, Ark., by Gen. Blunt. 

“ 2-1—An English steamer bringing military stores to the South, cap¬ 
tured. 

« 28—Confederates defeated by Gen. Herron, at Fayetteville, Ark. 

“ 30—Gen. Rosecrans supersedes Buell in Kentucky. Gen. Mitchell, the 
astronomer, died in S. C. 

j^ov. 5—Gen. McClellan relieved of command in Va. by Gen. Burnside. 
Attack on Nashville by Confederates. They are repulsed. 

“ 11—Southern defeat at Garrettsburg, Ky., by Gen. Ransom. 

Exchange of prisoners effected. 

“ 1C—President Lincoln enjoins on soldiers in camp and garrison observ¬ 
ance of the Sabbath. 

« 17 —Cavalry fight near Kingston, N. C. Southerners beaten. 

22—All political State prisoners released by U. S. government. 

» 25—Newbern, N. C. attacked by Southern troops. They soon retire. 

“ 28—Battle of Cane Hill, Ark. A Union victory. 

Dec. 1—The Pittsburg Battery, captured on the Peninsula, retaken by a 
Union force sent from Suffolk, Ya. 


570 


CAMPAIGN OF 1863. 


Dec. 5—Battle of Coffeeville, Miss. Southern loss was heavy. 

“ ()—Gen. Banks’ expedition for the South sailed for New Orleans. 

“ *7—At Prairie Grove, Ark., Gens. Blunt and Herron defeated Con¬ 
federates. 

Confederate Gen. Morgan captured several regiments of Western 
troops. * 

“ 8—Steamer Lake City destroyed by Southerners. 

“ 9—U. S. troops burn Concordia, on the Mississippi. 

» 13—Battle of Fredricksburg. A severe repulse to the Union army. 

Gen. Foster makes a cavalry raid into the interior of N. C., a 
success. 

Commodore Parker destroys Confederate salt works, five schooners 
and two sloops. 

“ 17—Gen. Banks captures Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. 

“ 19—Confederates retake Holly Springs, Miss., and large stores with 

4,000 bales of cotton. 

“ 26—Indians, engaged in the Minnesota massacre, hung—38 in number. 
“ 27—Vicksburg attacked by Gen. Sherman and gunboats, unsuccessfully. 
“ 31—Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone River, commenced with a Federal 
repulse. 

The Monitor that conquered the Merrimac, foundered at sea. 

Act of Congress admitting West Virginia into the Union as a 
sovereign State. This was to take effect 60 days after the Presi¬ 
dent’s proclamation making this announcement. 


CHAPTEK XXVI. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1863. 

The preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, issued Sept. 22d, 1862, 
was not to take effect for 100 days, or until Jan. 1st, 1863. Meanwhile the 
final details of the great operations, undertaken on both sides during 1862, 
were wound up. The bold efforts of the South, in the East and West, to 
transfer the war into the North, and indemnify themselves for the strict 
blockade of the coast by drawing supplies from the enemy, had resulted 
in defeat and withdrawal; not unaccompanied with booty, especially in 
the west, where Bragg’s train of supplies was said to have been 40 miles 
long. The southern people had failed in the main point, yet they had 
gained much. Federal reverses in the east had stopped the victories in 
the west in mid career, both by withdrawing from those armies to the east, 
and adding to the Confederates from the same region. Grant and Sher¬ 
man failed at Vicksburg, and Buell at Chattanooga. 

Yet these reverses to the Union arms served to stimulate the north, and 
to demonstrate the energy, resources, and indomitable resolution of the 



CAMPAIGN OF 1863 . 


' 571 


National government, and to undeceive the South as to the real sentiments 
of the great body of the Democratic party from which they had hoped aid 
on an invasion in force. Several of the European Powers, who would 
have liked to support the South, seeing the formidable character of the 
General Government, drew back in fear. The South might have foreseen 
that her cause was really hopeless; but she was too American not to feel 
an unconquerable resolution to carry her point or perish. She strength¬ 
ened her armies and prepared for another invasion. 

The Federal armies were now (Jan. 1863,) about 800,000 strong; her 
navy consisted of near 450 vessels, a large number being iron-clads. 
The great events of the campaign were Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania 
and his retreat after the battle of Gettysburg, and Grant’s success at Vicks¬ 
burg and Chattanooga. The resolution of the South, enveloped in the 
embrace of so mighty an antagonist, was wonderful; the unfaltering 
spirit, and readiness of the northern people to furnish whatever was 
required for success was still more so. The whole South, at least every 
State, was the theater of many contests of more or less importance; but 
the main interest centered on the Mississippi river, at Chattanooga and its 
vicinity, and on Gen. Lee’s army in Virginia or Pennsylvania. It was a 
contest of giants; yet, struggle as she might, the South was doomed. At 
the end of this year she was still strong, her armies were veterans, her 
spirit unbroken. The Federal Government had gained much, but it was 
step by step, inch by inch; and, in some parts, as in Virginia, what had 
been gained many times over, in territory, had been as often lost. 
Her general gain over the Confederate States lay most largely in the 
fatal process of exhaustion to which the vast operations of the Federal 
government forced the South. Increase of numbers made the battles more 
bloody and wasteful of life. The three leading events in this campaign— 
the capture of Vicksburg, (the battle of Chickamauga was a Confederate 
victory, but balanced by that of Chattanooga,) the battle of Gettysburg, 
and the battle of Chattanooga—were all decisive against the Confederates, 
yet leaving her strength for a long and vigorous contest of more than a 
year and a half. 

1863. 

Jan. 1—The year opened with a Confederate success at Galveston, Texas. 

An attack by sea and land resulted in the capture of 300 troops, 
the destruction of one vessel with its crew, and the capture 
of another, the Harriet Lane. Com. Renshaw was blown up with 
his vessel. 

Confederate defeat at Lexington, Tenn., after an obstinate fight. 
Proclamation of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln. 
Long, but indecisive battle of Stone River. Federal killed and 
wounded, 8,000. 

“ 3—Union army withdraws from before Vicksburg. Southern army 

retreats at Murfreesborough, Tenn. 


572 


CA^^IPAIUN OF 1863 . 


“ 7—Springfield, Mo., successfully defended by Unionists. 

“ 9—20,000 prisoners exchanged. 

11—A combined attack on Fts. Hindman and Arkansas Post by gun¬ 
boats and land forces, resulted in Union success—over 7,000 
prisoners. 

“ 12—Three Federal transports and a gunboat captured on Cumberland 
river. 

“ 13—The Southern steamer, Florida, escapes from Mobile. 

“ 17—$100,000,000 issued by the U. S. government in notes to pay the 

army. 

“ 20—Blockading vessels captured by Confederates, at Sabine City, 
Texas. 

“ 22—Attack on Vicksburg resumed. Gen. Porter dismissed from U. S. 
army. 

“ 25—A regiment of colored soldiers organized at Port Royal, S. C. 

“ 26—Gen. Hooker succeeds Gen. Burnside, in command of the Union 
Army of the Potomac, and Gens. Sumner and Franklin are relieved 
from duty. 

The Confederate war steamer, Alabama, destroys one vessel and 
captures another. 

Feb. 1—A second unsuccessful gunboat attack on Ft. McAllister. 

“ 5—Destruction of transports on Red River, La. Ft. Donelson repels 
Southern troops. 

“ 12—The Florida captures the Union merchant vessel, Jacob Bell. 

“ 13—The iron-clad, Indianola, runs the blockade at Vicksburg, and is 
captured. 

“ 18—Vicksburg bombarded by gunboats—ineffectually. 

“ 21—The Alabama, a Confederate cruiser, destroys two vessels on the 
African coast. 

“ 25—The Bureau of Currency and National Banks established by U. S. 
Congress. 

“ 26—The Cherokees return to the Union, and abolish slavery. 

Twenty-eight cars, with stores, destroyed by Confederates, in Ken¬ 
tucky. 

28—Confederate iron-clad, Nashville, destroyed in Ogeechee river, Geo. 
Mar. 1—Third fruitless Union attack on Ft. McAllister, Geo. 

“ 2—U. S. Generals increased to 358. 

“ 3—Congress authorizes loan of $900,000,000. These are called ten- 
forty's. 

The President authorized to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus 
U. S. Assistant Treasurer provided by act of Congress. 

Territorial government organized in Idaho. 

Twc U. S. gunboats destroyed. 

“ 5—Van Dorn (Confederate) captures Springfield, Tenn., and many 
prisoners. 




CAMPAIGN OF 1863 . ' 


573 


Mar. 6—Van Dorn captures a considerable Union force at Franklin, Tenn. 
“ 7—Gen. Minty captures a Confederate cavalry force at Unionville, 

Tenn. 

“ 10—Colored troops captured Jacksonville, Florida, 

“ 14—Port Hudson, Mississippi river, attacked by the Union gunboat 

fleet under Com. Farragut. The flag ship disabled and burnt. 

“ 17—Gallant and successful exploit of Union cavalry at Kelly’s Ford, Va. 

“ 19—An English steamer with arms for the South destroyed off 
Charleston. 

“ 20—Defeat of Morgan (Confederate) at Milton, Tenn. 

“ 25—Two Union vessels lost before Vicksburg. 

“ 28—Confederate steamer Iris captured near Charleston, S, C. 

Apr. 1—Admiral Farragut passes the batteries of Grand Gulf. 

Great scarcity of many things in the Confederacy from the strict¬ 
ness of the blockade, and extreme depreciation of Confederate 
money. No cotton could be sold. 

“ 7—An attack on Fort Sumter by nine Union iron clads. They are 

worsted. 

The Alabama Confederate cruiser captures the U. S. ship Morning 
Star. 

10—Two Union gunboats destroyed on Cumberland river. 

Van Dorn repulsed by Union General Granger, at Franklin, Tenn. 
“ 16—Com. Porter runs the batteries at Vicksburg successfully. 

“ 17—Gen. Banks vanquished Southern troops at La Teche and Grand 
Lake, La. 

“ 22—The Queen of the West captured on Grand Lake. Grigsby, Con¬ 
federate, surprised at McMinnville, Tenn. Banks occupied 
Opelousas and Washington, Miss. 

“ 23—Gen. Hunter informs Confederate authorities that colored soldiers 
must be treated as other prisoners of war, on pain of retaliation. 

“ 24—Union defeat at Beverly, Va., and victories at Weber Falls, Ark., 
and on Iron Mountain Railroad, Mo. 

May 1—Gen, Grant defeated the Southern troops at Port Gibson. 

Gen. Pegram, Confederate, defeated at Monticello, Ky. 

A third defeat of Southern troops, at South Quay, Va. 

Unionists defeated at La Grange, Ark. Battle of Chancellorsville, 
Va., begins. 

“ 2 - Col. Grierson, of U. S. army, finished a daring and successful 

raid through the interior of Miss. Traveled 800 miles in 16 days. 
Battle of Chancellorsville continued. It was a Federal repulse. 
Loss each side 15,000. 

“ 3—Capture of Grand Gulf, Miss., by Admiral Porter. 

“ 2—Vallandigham arrested in Ohio for treason. He was sent South. 

100 Secessionists of St. Louis sent South for treason. 


574 


CAMPAIGN OF 1863 . 


May 10—Stonewall Jackson, an able and brilliant Southern general, died 
of wounds received in battle, 

“ 11—Gen. Logan, Union, defeats Gen. Grigg at Farnden’s Creek, Miss. 

Each had about 5,000 men. 

“ 12—Gen. McPherson captured Raymond, Miss., from Confederates. 

“ 13—Yazoo City, and $2,000,000 property, captured by Union gunboats. 

Gen, Grant defeats Confederate army and captures Jackson, Miss. 
“ 16—Gen. Grant defeats Pemberton at Baker’s Creek, Miss., with heavy 

loss. Each had about 25,000 men. Pemberton lost 4,000 men and 
next day 2,000 more. 

“ 18- Grant commences seige of Vicksburg, Miss. 

“ 26—Gen. Breckenridge, Confederate, suffered defeat in Tennessee. 

“ 29—x\n immense train arrives in Gen. Banks’ lines near Port Hudson : 
600 wagons, 3,000 horses and mules, 1,500 cattle, 6,000 negroes. 
Gen. Banks fails in several attacks on Port Hudson. 

June 3—A brilliant raid by a colored regiment in South Carolina. 

“ 11 -Forrest, of Confederate cavalry, defeated at Triune, Tenn. 

“ 15—President Lincoln calls for 120,000 militia, to repel Lee’s invasion 
of Penn. 

“ 18—About 100,000 Southern forces enter Penn., near Chambersburg. 

“ 20—West Virginia admitted as a State into the Union. Missouri Leg¬ 
islature abolishes slavery. 

In this month the great events of the campaign, the taking of 
Vicksburg and opening the Mississippi river, and the failure of 
Gen. Lee’s invasion by his loss of the battle of Gettysburg, are 
rapidly approaching the grand crisis. 

July —The first days of this month formed the crisis of the war. 

“ 3—Gen. Lee, with 100,000 men, was defeated by Gen. Meade at Gettys¬ 

burg, Pa., with about equal numbers. Lee retreated into Virginia. 
The Union losses at Gettysburg were 23,000. Lee had lost in his 
17 days in the Free States 60,000 men altogether. 

“ 4—Vicksburg surrendered to Gen. Grant, after a seige of 41 days. In 
the battles immediately preceding, under Grant, and in this seige 
and capitulation, the South lost near 50,000 men. Grant’s losses 
were about 9,000. 

Gen. Prentice defeated a greatly superior force at Helena, Ark. 

“ 8—Port Hudson surrenders to Gen. Banks, wdth 7,000 men. 

Morgan, of Confederate cavalry, invades Indiana and Ohio with 
5,000 men. He is captured before he can return. 

“ 13—Great riot in New York city. 

“ 17—Gen. Sherman defeats Johnson, and occupies Jaekson, Miss. 

. “ 20—Two successful Union cavalry expeditions, in N. C. and Va. 

“ 23—Battle of Manassas Gap. Unionists defeat a superior force. 

A Confederate victory at Richmond, Ky. 

“ 31—Confederates beaten in Kentucky. 


CAMPAIGN OF 1868 . 


575 


Aug. 1—Two cavalry battles in Va. 

“ 4—Disastrous loss of U. S. steamer Ruth, on the Mississippi, hy fire. 

“ 12-Gen. Gilmore bombarded Ft. Sumter and Charleston most of the 
month. 

“ 17—Successful cavalry raid into Mississippi to destroy stores. 

“ 20—Lawrence, Kansas, attacked and destroyed by guerillas. 

A guerilla war was carried on very largely this month, both east 
and west of the Mississippi. 

Sept. 1—Knoxville, Tenn., captured by Gen. Burnside. 

Gen. Blunt defeated the Confederates, and captured Ft. Smith, Ark. 

“ 6—Fts. Wagner and Gregg captured by Gen. Gilmore, Charleston, S. C. 

“ 8—Cumberland Gap taken by Gen. Burnside. 2,000 prisoners. 

“ 10—Little Rock occupied by Union forces. 

“ 19-20—A terrible battle is fought at Chickamauga (in Indian the “River 
of Death,”) in which Gen. Rosecrans with some 50,000 to 60,000 
troops is severely defeated by Bragg, with about 45,000. Federal 
losses about 15,000. Yet Bragg did not capture Chattanooga. 

“ 22—Severe battle at Madison Court House, Va. Union victory. 

“ 28—Gen. Burnside repulses Confederates at Knoxville, Tenn. 

Oct. 3—Union troops throw Greek fire into Charleston, S. C. 

“ 5—Chatanooga bombarded by Bragg. 

“ 9—Defeat of Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry, in Tenn. 

“ 14—Battle at Bristoe Station, Va. Favorable to U. S. troops. 

“ 16—Gen. Grant takes command of the Western armies. 

“ 17—The President calls for 300,000 more troops. 

“ 21—A battle in Alabama, in Mississippi, and in Tennessee. 

“ 27—Battle of Brown’s Ferry, near Chattanooga. Confederates beaten. 

“ 28—Gen. Hooker takes Lookout Mountain. 

“ 31—Gen. Hooker gains the battle of Shell Mound. 

Nov. —The main interest of the month gathers about the great and deci¬ 
sive battle of Chattanooga, between Gens. Grant and Bragg. All 
the forces to be spared on either side were concentrated here. 
Chattanooga has been called, “The back door of the Confederacy.’’ 

Nov. 5—Chattanooga bombarded by the Southern forces. 

Gen. Avery gains a Union victory atLewisburg, Va. 

“ 6—The North is thrilled with indignation at barbarities ascertained 

to have been perpetrated in Southern prisons. 

“ 7—Gen. Meade drives Southern army across the Rappahannock. 

“ 11—The British government makes known an intended invasion of 
the North from Canada, by Confederates. 

“ 15—Gen. Banks takes Corpus Christi, Texas. 

“ 17—Charleston continues to be shelled. 

Gen. Longstreet detached from Confederate army at Chattanooga, 
with 15,000 men, to attack Burnside. 

“ 19—National Cemetery consecrated, at Gettysburg. 


576 


CAMP^MGN OF 1864 . 


“ 23-26—Battles of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. Southern forces 
about 60,000, Grant’s about 80,000. Confederate losses 10,000, 
Union, 5,616. It was a blow never recovered by the Confederacy. 
“ 28—Gen. Longstreet attacks Knoxville and is repulsed with loss. 


CHAPTEK XXYII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1864. 

There was a lull, for a time, in the tempest of war. The Confederate 
forces had lost ground that they could hardly hope to regain. The Missis¬ 
sippi river and Eastern Tennessee, both of supreme importance to the 
Confederacy, were in possession of the Union armies, which grew ever 
stronger. They were now about 1,000,000 men, and the navy had increased 
to over 600 vessels. This force was soon put in vigorous hands, that 
gripped fast what they once held. The misfortune of many commanders 
and continual changes, from political rather than military considerations, 
began to be well understood. Grant had gained so uniformly when others 
had failed, he was recognized as so tenacious and unwearied, that he received 
and held the confidence of the people and the government. This was a 
point of great importance for shortening the war; for the Southern people 
were still resolute, had still a vast country, were on the defensive in a 
smaller region than before, and could resist more effectively with a smaller 
army. It still made a most gallant and determined resistance which the 
vast resources of the national government did not enable them to overcome 
for a year and a half. The country was still covered with detached bodies 
of troops. A desultory war was maintained where strong armies failed to 
liold the ground, or were concentrated at a few points. The great move¬ 
ments were in Virginia and Georgia. The secondary in Tennessee, in Mis¬ 
sissippi, and Texas. 

It took a year to break the will of the Southern people after they were 
really conquered. This period covers the year 1864; 1865 furnishes only 
the dying struggles of the Confederacy, already mortally wounded. 

1864. 

The bombardment of Charleston continued during the preceding month. 
Some cavalry movements were made, the President of the U. S. offered 
amnesty to all who would take an oath of allegiance, and Gen. Butler 
announced that the Confederate government refused to receive any more 
supplies for Union prisoners from the North. 

Jan. 7—Three blockade runners captured. 

“ 11—Two more were destroyed, making 22 in a few months. 

“ 25—Mr. Vanderbilt, having presented a steamer worth $800,000 to the 
U. S. government, received the thanks of Congress. 

Feb. 1—The President of the U. S. ordered a draft of 500,000 men. 



CAMPAKiN OF 1864 . 


577 


Feb. 5—Two English steamers, with supplies for the South, captured. 

“ —Cotton worth $700,000 burned at Wilmington, N. C. 

“ 20—Negro troops cover the retreat of a defeated white Union force at 
Olustee, Fla. 

“ 28—The large armies being broken up or concentrated, and the lines 

of communication ver}'^ much interrupted, many Union cavalry 
raids, aiming to break the lines of communication by railroad 
completely, to lay waste the country, and to free the negroes, who 
were raising supplies for the Southern armies, in the far interior, 
were undertaken. That of Sherman to Meridian, in Miss., and of 
Grierson and Smith, and many smaller ones, were executed daring 
this month. The damage to railroads and the supplies destroyed 
were incalculable. 18 blockade runners and other vessels bringing 
supplies to the South were destroyed during the month. 

Mar. 2—Gen. Grant made Lt. General; the only one who had reached that 
dignity since Gen. Washington—Gen. Scott being Lt. Gen. only 
by brevet. 

“ 12— Gen. Grant made Commander-in-chief of the U. S. armies. 

“ 15—The President of the U. S. calls for 200,000 more men. 

“ 25—Confederate Gen. Forrest makes three assaults on Paducah, Ky., 
with loss of 1,500 men, in vain. 

“ 28—A severe defeat inflicted on Southern forces at Cane River, La. 

A])!-. 4—Gen. Marmaduke defeated by Gen. Steele, Unionist, at Little Mis¬ 
souri, Ark. 

“ 8—Gen. Banks suffers reverses on the Red River, and retreats with 

loss. 

“ 12—Gen. Forrest l^’,kes Ft. Pillow and massacres the garrison, many 

being negroes. 

“ 21—Salt works in North Carolina destroyed—value .|100,000. As salt 
was indisi)ensable to army operations, the utmost effort was made 
to ruin as many as possible. 

u 28—Governors of Western States offer the U .S. government 85,000 men 
for 100 days. President accepts them. 

May 2—400 Union prisoners are brought to Annapolis neaidy starved. 

“ 4—Gen. Grant crosses the Rapidan in Va. and commences operations 

in the Wilderness. He, with 140,000 men, confronts Lee, who has 
60,000. 

“ 5—Fighting in the Wilderness for two days without decided result. 

Costs Grant 80,000 (5,000 were prisoners) and Lee 10,000. Lee was 
intrenched and familiar with the ground, which was highly unfa¬ 
vorable to the Union army. 

“ —Gen. Sherman confronts Gen. Joe Johnson near Chattanooga. Sher¬ 

man has near 100,000; Johnson 60,000. 

“ 7—Lee retreats toward Spottsylvania Court-House. Union army fol¬ 

lows, fighting. 

37 


5TS 


CAMPAIGN OK 1804. 


To this date 150,000 Southern soldiers had been made prisoners 
during the course of the war. 

May 8—Battle of Spottsylvania; result indecisive. 

“ 10—Battle of Spottsylvania continued. Still indecisive. Losses to 

each side 10,000 men. 

“ 12—Lee and Grant fight again, without victory by either. 

“ 13—Sheridan destroyed Lee’s depot of supplies in his rear, at Beaver 

Dam. 

“ 15—Sherman drives Johnson from Resaca after two days’ fighting. 

“ 21—Lee is flanked at Spottsylvania, and retires to the North Anna. 

“ 23—Morgan (Confederate cavalry) enters Ky. with 4,000 men. 

“ 25—Sheridan rejoins Grant, after a brilliant series of daring deeds in 
the rear of Lee. Gen. Stuart, a very able Confederate cavalry leader, 
is killed in this raid. 

“ 27—Grant again flanked Lee, crossing the Pamunky to Hanovertown. 

June 1—Battle of Cold Harbor, north of, and near, Richmond. It was 
fought with the utmost bravery and obstinacy, but gained no more 
decisive end than the destruction of men and material involved. 
This was very severe on Lee, from the smaller number he had to 
fall back on. 

“ 7—Abraham Lincoln renominated for the presidency of the U. S. 

“ 14—Gen. Polk (a Southern bishop) killed. 

“ 15—An unsuccessful assault for three days on Petersburg. Union losses 

10,000 men. 

“ 18—To this time Grant had lost (34,000 men—Lee 38,000 during this 
campaign. 

“ 19—Steamer Kearsarge sinks the famous Alabama, on the coast of 

France. 

“ 20—Petersburg strongly reinforced by Lee. 

“ 27—Sherman, pushing Johnson at Keneshaw, nieels a severe repulse. 
In one month he had driven Johnson 100 miles, fought six battles, 
and killed, wounded or taken prisoner 17,000 men. He followed 
Grant’s princi])le, and “flanked ” him. A retreat was the result. 

July 1—Public debt over $1,740,000,000. 

“ 9—Gen. Early, with 20,000 Confederate troops, passes into Grant’s 

rear, and makes a hasty march north into Maryland. This day he 
gained a victory over Gen. Wallace, but his losses were so great 
that he was hindered in his design of capturing Washington, 
though within six miles of it at one time. He retreats, but soon 
turns back. 

“ 18—President Lincoln calls for 500,000 more troops. 

“ 19—Gen. xVverill (Union) gives Early a check, but finally falls back. 

“ 20-22—Severe battles in the neigliborhood of Atlanta, Geo. Gen. Sher¬ 
man victorious. Confederate losses in all over 15,000 ; Union 
about 5,500. Union Gen. McPherson killed. 


CAMPAIGN OF 1864. 5T9 

Jill. 22-^A mine, made under the fortifications of Petersburg, completed. 
It was charged with 8,000 lbs. of powder. 

‘Jb—Earl}’' sent a detachment into Penn., which burnt Chambersburg. 

JO—Gen. Stoneman defeated and taken prisoner at Macon, Geo., by 
Confederates. 

The mine exploded at Petersburg, blowing up a fort and its gar¬ 
rison; but, from unskillful management, proved a Union disaster; 
4,000 men were lost in killed, wounded and prisoners. A constant 
artillery attack was Ivcpt up on Petersburg through this month. 

Aug.2—Gen. Banks puts all the negroes in his region in the army (Grand 
Gulf, La.). 

3—^.Constaut fighting at xVtlanta. Hood (Confederate) repulsed. 

“ b—Admiral Farragut enters Mobile bay with 18 vessels, and captures 
or destroys the vessels and forts. It was the last seaport of the 
Confederacy. 

“ 7—Union Gen. Averill gains a complete victory at Moorfield, West Va. 

“ 0—Atlanta, Geo., bombarded by Sherman’s army. 

“ 11—The Confederate vessel Tallahassee burns 5 vessels, and 5 more in 

the course of Aug. 

“ 13—Mosby, Confederate, captures an immense supply train at Berry- 

ville, Va. 

“ 111—Success of Southern forces before Petersburg. Took 2,000 prisoners. 

“ 21—Lee fails to dislodge Warner, who is destroying the Weldon R. R. 
In three days Grant lost 4,500 men in this undertaking 

“ 31—Gen. Howard, of Sherman’s army, gains a decided victory at Jones- 
borough, Geo. 

Sept. 2—Gen. Hood evacuates Atlanta, Geo., a very important place, which 
Sherman at once occupies. Sherman had lust 30,000 men in this 
campaign, the Confederates 42,000. 

“ 5—Gen. Morgan, an active Southern cavalry officer, is killed at Gran¬ 

ville, Tenn. 

“ 12—Sherman sends away all the families and burns a good part of 

■ Atlanta, preparatory to great and brilliant operations. 

“ 13—General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. 

“ 10—A strong force of Confederate cavalry drive off 2,500 beeves 

belonging to the Union army on James river. 

“ 19—Sheridan defeats Early, (at Oquequan, Shenandoah valley,) inflict¬ 

ing a loss of 8,000 men. 

“ 22—Slieridan again inflicts a loss of near 4,000 on Early, at Fisher’s 
Hill, Va. 

“ 29—Gen. Grant advances to within ten miles of Richmond, on the north. 

Gen. Price again invades Missouri. 

“ 30—The blockading force captured and destroyed 50 vessels this month. 

Oct. 5—A repulse of the Southern forces at Allatoona, Geo. 


580 


CAMPAIGN OF 1804. 


Oct. 7—The Confederate steamer Florida captured by the Wachusett, on 
the coast of Brazil. 

Sheridan, haying laid waste the Shenandoah valley, returns South. 

“ 8—Sheridan defeats the Confederates again in the Shenandoah valley. 

“ 11—Maryland votes for a constitution abolishing slavery. 

“ 19—Sheridan annihilated Early, at Cedar Creek, by his famous “ride 

from Winchester,” and rallying his men, after they had been 
defeated. 

Confederate refugees from Canada rob a bank in St. Albans, Vt. 

“ 28—Gen. Price defeated at Blue river, Missouri. 

“ 27—Gen. Grant closes the active campaign by an extensive reconnoi- 
sance. 

“ 28—Gen. Blunt defeats Price and drives him out of Missouri. He 
returns no more. * 

Nov. —Gen. Hood, in command of the forces in Georgia, withdrew from 
the neighborhood of Atlanta, for the purpose of destroying Sher¬ 
man’s base of supplies, and invading Tennessee and Kentuck}^ 
He had now about 40,000 men. Gen. Thomas was sent into Ten¬ 
nessee, by Sherman, with a strong force, to contend with him; and 
Sherman, breaking away from his northern connections, com¬ 
mences his celebrated “ march to the sea,” in which he is lost to 
his friends for 40 days, but reaches Savannah in safety. 

“ 4—Johnsonville, Tenn., bombarded. 3 gunboats and 8 transports, 

with $1,500,000 of stores destroyed. 

“ 8—President Lincoln re-elected. Gen. McClellan resigns his com¬ 

mission. 

“ 11—A gunboat, tlie Tulip, blows up on Potomac river. Her boiler 

burst. 

“ 18—Gen. Breckenridge attacks Gillem, near Morristown, Tenn., captur¬ 

ing his artillery, and several hundred pidsoners. 

“ 14—Atlanta completely destroyed by Shermiin, before his march South. 

“ 16—Gen. Stonenian attacks Breckenridge, at Marion, Tenn., and cap¬ 
tures his artillery and 200 prisoners. 

Gen. Sherman starts for Savannah through the heart of the Con¬ 
federacy, with over 65,000 troops. He destroys railroads and lays 
the country waste wherever he is treated in a hostile manner. 

“ 22—Sherman’s army reach Milledgeville, the capital of Georgia. The 
Gov. and Legislature hastily retire. The soldiers amuse them¬ 
selves by holdiugamock legislature, passing loyal resolutions, &c. 

“ 24—The Union army in Va., receive nearly 100,000 pounds of turkeys, 
sent from the North to supply them a Christmas dinner. 

“ —An attempt to fire New York city miscarries. 

80—Gen. Hood, Confederate, with 40,000 men, attacks Schoheld, 18 
miles from Nashville. Gen. Schofield had only 17,000 men. 
Hood made four attacks, and was each time repulsed. He lost 


CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN. 


581 


6,000 men. At midnight Sclioheld retreated to Nashville, and 
joined Thomas, followed by Hood’s army. 

Dec. 1—The U. S. navy has 671 vessels, carrying over 4,000 guns, and 
51,000 men. It has captured 324 vessels during the year—during 
the war, 1,379—267 being steamers. 

“ 5—65 blockade runners, ships and cargoes worth $12,000,000, have been 

captured or destroyed by the U. S. navy, at Wilmington, N. C. 

“ 6—Mr. Chase, ex-Sec. of the U. S. Treasury, appointed Chief Justice 

of the Supreme Court. 

“ 12—Gen. Sherman’s army reaches the rear of Savannah, Geo., which 
is occupied by the Confederate Gen. Hardee, with 15,000 men. 

“ 13—Gen. Hazen, of Sherman’s command, captures Ft. McAllister, near 

Savannah. It had been frequently attacked by gunboats, in vain. 

“ 15—Gen. Rousseau defeats the Southern forces under Forrest at Mur- 

freesborough, Tenn., with great loss. 

“ 15-16—Battle of Nashville, Tenn., in which Gen. Hood is completely 
defeated by Gen. Thomas, Federal commander. Hood’s flying 
troops pursued 200 miles. It was one of the most fatal blows of 
the war for the South. 

“ 19—President Lincoln calls for 300,000 volunteers to finish the war. 

“ 20—Gen. Stoneman, Cnionist, captures forts and destroys salt works, 
lead mines, and railway bridges at Saltville, East Tennessee. 

Gen. Sherman summons Savannah to surrender. Gen. Hardee 
retreated in the night. Gen. Sherman takes possession next day. 


CHAPTEK XXYIII. 
CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN. 

The year 1864 closed in general disaster to the Confederacy. Sherman 
had broken the Confederate power in Georgia, destroyed its communica. 
tions with the Mississippi States, and taken Savannah. Gen. Thomas had 
broken up Hood’s army, in Tennessee, and Grant had closely beleagured 
the Southern army in Virginia within Richmond and its defenses; while 
Sheridan had dealt blow after blow on Early, in the Shenandoah Valley, 
and quite ruined his army. 

The future operations required the subjugation of the interiors of North 
and South Carolina, the taking of a few forts on the coast, and the capture 
of Lee’s army in Richmond. The only other army of strength, the remnant 
of Hood’s forces, was in the Southern interior. The Federal government 
was stronger than ever, both by sea and land. The Southern people were 
much discouraged; their finances ruined; their fighting men mostly dis¬ 
abled, scattered, forced into submission, or, hopeless of ultimate success. 



582 


CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN. 


had voluntarily withdrawn from the contest in so large numbers that the 
Confederate forces were everywhere inferior, and only upheld by the indom¬ 
itable pride and bravery inherent in the Anglo-American. They would 
submit only when necessity absolutely compelled them; and thus saved 
their honor, in their own eyes. They had made a fatal mistake, and they 
reaped the full harvest of ruin. Yet, their prolonged resistance served to 
utterly annihilate slavery; raised the negroes to the honorable position of 
Defenders of the Union; and, the last of Jan., 1865, an amendment to the 
U. S. Constitution was prepared forever abolishing slavery in the country. 
In the end the blacks became citizens. We have now^ but a short record 
to complete our View of the Civil War. The South had still over 100,000 
men in arms, but they were surrounded, cut off from supplies, outnum¬ 
bered, and pressed with relentless vigor. This was Grant’s ])olicy. 

1865. 

Jan. 14—Vessels are sent from Boston and New York with large supplies 
from the charitable, for Southern sufferers, in Savannah, Geo. 

“ 15—Ft. Fisher, on the coast of N. C., captured by Gen. Terry, in con¬ 
junction with the U. S. ffeet. It is the last stronghold of the South 
on the sea. 

Edward Everett died, ac Boston, Mass. 

“ 16—The magazine at Ft. Fisher exploded, killing and wounding 800 

Union men. 

“ 17—A Federal monitor blown up by torpedoes, in Charleston Harbor, 

S. C. 

“ 20—Corinth, Miss., evacuated by Southern troops. 

“ 28—Gen. Hood surrenders his command in the Southern army to Gen. 
Taylor. 

“ 28—Gen. Breckenridge becomes Confederate Sec. of War. 

“ 29—Southern Commissioners seek an interview with President Lincoln 
at Fortress Monroe, in the interest of Peace. They failed to make 
any satisfactory terms. 

‘‘ 81—Joint resolution of Congress to amend the U. S. Constitution abol¬ 
ishing slavery (14th Amendment). 

Feb. —Nine States ratify the Constitutional Amendment in this month. 

“ 5—Grant suffers a repulse at Hatcher’s Run. Loss 2,000 men. 

“ 17—Columbia, S. C., accidentally burned on its evacuation by Southern 

troops. A Confederate dollar (paper) worth but two cents in Rich¬ 
mond, Va. 

“ 18—Union troops take possession of Charleston, S. C., as a result of 

Sherman’s march from Savannah north-eastward toward Rich¬ 
mond. Many buildings in Charleston burned in the destruction 
of Confederate stares by the retiring army. 

Gen. Lee in favor of arming the negroes for the defense of the 
South. It is declined by the Confederate government, until too 
late. 


COKCLUDING CAMPAIGN. 


583 


Feb.25—800 Southern soldiers desert, and come into Union lines. 

Mar. 2—Sheridan completely routs Gen. Early again, taking 1,700 troops 
prisoners. 

“ 4—President Lincoln inaugurated for his second term. 

“ 10—Gen. Bragg defeated, at Kingston, N. C. 

“ 15—Gen. Hardee (Confederate) defeated by Sherman’s army. 

“ 18—The Confederate Congress adjourned. It never met again. 

Battle of part of Sherman’s army with Johnston, Confederate, 
24,000 strong. Southern forces made six assaults which were with¬ 
stood.’ After fighting and manouvering 3 days, Johnston retreated 
having lost 3,000 men. Sherman lost 1,640. 

“ 25—Ft. Steadman, near Petersburg, Va., captured by Confederates, but 
was immediately retaken, with 2,000 prisoners. This attack was 
made by Lee, preparatory to evacuating Richmond. Grant had 
about 120,000 troops, Lee 70,000. 

“ 20—Slieridan commences an expedition to the rear of Richmond to cut 
off Lee’s retreat South. 

“ 31—Sheridan attacked and hard pushed by Lee’s forces, but at night 
they fall back. 

Apr. 1—Sheridan, in turn, follows the Confederates, and drives them toward 
Ridimond. He takes more than 5,000 prisoners. This was the 
battle of Five Forks. It was fatal to Lee’s retreat. 

“ 2—Grant’s forces make a grand assault. It is successful, and Lee 

prepares to evacuate Richmond. President Davis leaves his capi¬ 
tal in haste, for Danville, N. C. Gen. Lee commences his retreat 
in the night. 

3—Richmond occupied by colored Federal troops. They find the 
city in fiames. 

“ 4—President Davis endeavors to make a stand against disaster. He 

issues a proclamation from Danville. 

“ 9—Terms of surrender arranged by Gens. Grant and Lee. 

“ 10—Gen. Lee issues his farewell address to his army. 

“ 12—Confederate army yielded prisoners of war at Appomattox Court 

House, Virginia. 27,805 Confederate soldiers paroled. 

Gen. Stoneman defeats a Confederate force, at Salisbury, N. C. 
Gen. Canby, Union, occupies Mobile, Ala. 

“ 14—President Lincoln assassinated in Washington, by J. Wilkes Booth. 

Mr. Seward stabbed in bed, but not killed. 

“ 15—Abraham Lincoln died at 7 a. m. The whole country is in 
mourning. 

Andrew Johnson assumes the office of President of the U. S. 

« 18—Paine, or Powell, who endeavored to assassinate Sec. Seward, 
arrested at Mrs. Surratt’s house in Washington. Mrs. Surratt 
arrested. 

Gen. Sherman arranges preliminaries for the surrender of all the 


584 


CONCLUDING CAMPAIGN. 


remaining Confederate forces, with Gen. Johnston, commanding 
Southern army in N. C., with consent of Confederate Sec. of War 
and Jeff. Davis. It includes the basis of a general peace, and a 
policy of reconstruction. It is sent to the Federal government for 
their approval or rejection. 

Apr. 19—Funeral ceremonies of President Lincoln, at Washington. Funeral 
services are held all over the North. The body is carried in state 
to Springfield, Ill., stopping at prominent places on the route; 
and visited by great numbers of the people. 700,000 were said to 
have been in the procession at New York. 

“ 21—Gen. Sherman’s arrangement with Johnston disapproved by the 
government, and he is ordered to resume hostilities. Steamboat 
Sultana blows up on the Mississippi, and about 1,300 U. S. soldiers 
returning home were killed. 

“ 24—Gen. Grant visits Sherman. 

“ 25—J. W. Booth, the assassin of the President, taken prisoner near 
Port Royal, Va. Refusing to surrender, a soldier shot him, con¬ 
trary to orders. He died in 4 hours. No assassin ever met with 
more universal execration than Booth. Its necessar}- effect was to 
render the Reconstruction policy much more stern and painful to 
the South. 

“ 26—Johnston surrenders to Gen. Sherman all the Confederate troops 
in his command, on the terms granted Gen. Lee. 

“ 29—Arms and stores of Gen. Johnston’s army delivered to U. S. author¬ 
ities, at Greensboro, N. C. 

May 2—Reward offered for capture of Jeff. Davis, of $100,000. He was, at 
first, believed accessory to the murder of President Lincoln 

“ 3—President Lincoln’s remains arrive at Springfield, Ill. 

“ 4-9—All the Confederate forces disbanded, or surrendered to U. S. 

officers, east and west of Mississippi river. 

“ 10—Jeff. Davis captured in Geo., in woman’s clothes. 

GENERAL DATA. 

The number of volunteer troops to be mustered out of the Union army. 
May 1st, 1865, was 1,034,064. They were mostl}^ discharged and paid in 
the next three months. The entire enlistments in the Federal army, during 
the whole war, were 2,688,523. Many were re-enlistments. It is believed 
that the whdle number of individuals forming the armies was only 1,500,000. 
75 per cent, were native Americans, 9 per cent. Germans, and 7 per cent. 
Irish. Various nationalities made up the remaining 9 per cent. 

Of this million and a half 56,000 were killed in battle, 35,000 died in 
hospitals of their wounds received in battle, and 184,000 died in hospitals 
of disease. Many afterwards died, and others were ruined in health for 
life. 

It has been stated by the Adjutant General of the Confederate army,since 
the close of the war, that the available Confederate force during the entire 


conclt:ding campaign. 


585 


war was 600,000, and tliat they never had more than 200,000 in the field at 
an} one time. This would seem likely to be an underestimate, but is the 
nearest to official data that we have. He states the entire force opposing 
the 1,000,000 men in the closing campaign to have been 100,000. There is 
reason to believe that the Confederates killed, and the wounded and sick 
who died in hospital, was about 300,000. 

1 he entire amount expended by the National government, by States, 
counties and towns, and contributed in other ways to the comfort or sus¬ 
tenance of the army, is computed at $4,000,000,000. The support of the 
Southern army cannot be ascertained, but it is thought that those expenses 
and the destruction of property inflicted about an equal loss on them. 

These losses in life and property are fearful; but they are the price of 
Freedom and of Nationality. The general prosperity of the country has 
made it richer than before, while natural increase and immigration have 
filled the places vacant by death. 

The South was hopeless and exhausted at the close of the war. It had 
been feared that a guerrilla war, the most desolating and bloody of all 
wars, would follow the defeat of the great armies. It could result only in 
destruction of what remained to the Southern people, and they submitted 
quietly to their fate. Various excesses and deeds of blood were indeed 
committed, but they were not S3nnpathized with by the mass of the people. 
It was only the desperate and lawless class that came to the surface natu¬ 
rally in war. 

Many of the influential Southern leaders counseled submission to inev¬ 
itable necessity, and themselves set the example. The policy of reconstruc¬ 
tion adopted by the National government, excluded, at first, all who had 
taken a part in the rebellion from political influence. The loyal element, 
small as it was, was alone to restore the Southern States to their place in 
the Union. It was, however, proposed to admit others, both individuals 
and classes, to participation in political action as they proved themselves 
trustworthy and loyal to the new order of things. After some years, and 
when it was felt to be quite safe, these disabilities were nearly all removed. 

The most distasteful act of the General Government, to the people of the 
South, was clothing the blacks with the rights of citizens. They received 
the elective franchise, and assisted to rule over their former masters. It 
was considered necessary, since they had now no masters to be interested in 
them, to give them the power to protect themselves, and to elevate them to 
something of influence and respectability by force of the ballot. That 
advantage given them, they must take their chances with others, and win 
their own way. They had been loyal to the Union, which strongly recom¬ 
mended this polic}^ to the government. The Northern people who now 
settled in the South and the blacks mainly reorganized the State govern¬ 
ments. This was the chief punishment inflicted on the Southern people 
in retaliation for the war they had waged with such fearful energ}". It was 
a clemency quite unexampled in history. No blood was shed after they 


586 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


laid clown their arms. The assassination of the beloved President Lincoln 
made the North thoroughly angry, but no vengeance was taken except on 
those believed to be immediately connected with the atrocious deed. The 
most lively indignation had long been felt at the dreadful treatment expe¬ 
rienced by prisoners of war in some of the prisons of the South; but the 
government and the people contented themselves wntli the punishment of 
the governor of Andersonville prison, on due civil trial and conviction. 

On the whole, the conduct of the Northern people was extremely mag¬ 
nanimous. The dissolution of the Union would have been an irreparable 
loss to them; they resolved not to suffer it; and, with extraordinary energy, 
they put in the field more than a million and a half of men, and near 700 
vessels, to subdue it, and suffered no reverses to discourage them until this 
was done. When resistance ceased and the Union was secure, they exacted 
only the pledges necessary to keep it safe. Appreciating the unfortunate 
condition to which nearly all the before prosperous classes of the South 
were reduced, they aided them in their distress, ceased at once all hostile 
action, and left them to recover from their disasters under as favorable cir¬ 
cumstances as their own conduct warranted. The South naturally felt an 
affection for her Lost Cause, proportionate to the sacrifices she had made 
and the suffering she had endured for it. Time, and busy care to devel¬ 
op the vast resources that slavery had, in great part, neglected, would 
gradually restore them to right feeling, and the state of mind fitting them 
for citizenship. This, in i)art, has already taken place, and, by and by, the 
Bonds of the Whole Union will be more firmly cemented than ever before. 
May it be soon. 


CIIAPTEK XXIX. 

HISTOKY OF THE U. S. FEOM 1865 TO 1874. 

Ma}" 13—During the week ending with this day there w^as subscribed to 
the U. S. seven-thirty loan $98,000,000. It was an expression of the 
enthusiastic confidence of the people in the government and its 
resources. 

“ 22-23—Grand review of Gen. Sherman’s army at Washington. There 
were 200,000 men. 

“ 2()—Kirby Smith, the last leader of a Southern military organization, 
surrendered his command. 

“ 30—The great Sanitary Fair opened at Chicago. 

“ ^1—Gen. Hood and his staff surrendered prisoners of war. 

June 1—A day of fasting and national humiliation for the death of Presi- 
• dent Lincoln. 

“ 4—Toombs, of Georgia, prominent in the early days of secession, shot 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


587 


himself to avoid arrest Yet no one was capitally punished for 
treason. 

July 5 The four confederates of Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln, 
were found guilty. They were hanged on the 6th and 7th. These 
were Harold, Atzerott, Powell and Mrs. Surratt. 

11—Gen. R. E. Lee appointed president of the Washington College, 
'V a. It was done by Southern people as a mark of respect, and to 
furnish him a support; he having lost his property in the war. 

Sept. 20 The marking of the graves of 12,000 of the unfortunate xinderson- 
ville prisoners completed. 

Cession of 1,000,000 acres of land to the government by the Osage 
Indians, for $300,000. 

Oct. 20—Champ Ferguson, noted for his crimes in guerilla warfare, hung 
at Nashville, Tenn. 

Nov. 10—Henry Wirz, the inhuman keeper of Andersonville prison, hung, 
after trial and condeniation. 

Dec. 18—Secretary Seward officially announces that the 13th Amendment 
to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States, has 
been adopted by three-fourths of the States, and it is now the law 
of the land, 

1866. 

Jan. 1—Third anniversary of Emancipation celebrated by the colored 
people. 

“ 2—Funeral of Hon. Henry Winter Davis, U. S. Senator, at Baltimore. 

“ 12—The Kentucky University purchases the homestead of Henry Clay. 

“ 33—The 13th Constitutional Amendment reconsidered by the Legisla¬ 
ture of New Jersey and passed. It had been rejected in the pre¬ 
vious year. 

“ 25—Kentucky refused to pass the 13th xlmendment. 

“ 31—Commissary and quartermaster warehouses burned, at Ft. Rile}", 
Kansas. $1,000,000 lost. 

Feb. 2—The Civil Rights bill passed the Senate. 

“ 11—The U. S. Sanitary Commission closed with an anniversary meet¬ 

ing at Washington. 

“ 12—Memorial services in honor of President Lincoln held in the cap- 

itol, at Washington; address delivered by the Hon. Geo. Bancroft, 
statesman and historian. 

“ 19—President Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau bill. 

“ 22—The 134th anniversary of Washington’s birthday celebrated. 

“ 26—Meeting held at Richmond to ratify President Johnson’s policy. 

Mar. 10—North Carolina passes a Negro Rights bill. 

“ 12—North Carolina passes a Negro Testimony bill. 

Texas Convention declares their Secession ordinance null and void. 

“ 13—The (hvil Rights bill passed the House of Representatives. 

“ 19—The Reciprocity Treaty with Canada expires. 


588 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


“ 27—The Civil Rights bill vetoed by President Johnson. 

April 2—Gen. Hawley elected republican governor of Connecticut. 

“ 4—Gen. Burnside elected governor of Rhode Island. 

“ 6-7—Civil Rights bill passed Congress over the veto. 

“ 30—Two churches of colored people burned by incendiaries in Rich¬ 

mond, Va. 

May 15—The President vetoes the bill admitting Colorado as a State. 

“ 29—Gen. Scott died at West Point, N. Y. 

J une 8—Gen. Meade goes to Buffalo to prevent the Fenians (Irish Patriots) 
from invading Canada. 

“ 6—President Johnson issues a proclamation forbidding belligerent 

operations against Canada from the United States. 

“ 8-18—The 14th Constitutional Amendment passed by Congress. 

July 4—Great fire at Portland, Me. Loss, $15,000,000. The U. S. govern¬ 
ment a heavy losQr by this fire. 

“ 28—Tennessee readmitted as a State in the Union, by joint resolution 
of Congress. This was the first State readmitted after the war. 

“ 25—Lieut. Gen. Grant nominated General—the highest grade known 
in our military organization—never before occupied. 

Vice Admiral Farragut nominated Admiral. 

“ 27—Hon. J. H. Harlan, Sec. of the Interior, resigns. O. H. Browning 
appointed. 

“ 28—The Great Eastern reaches Hearts Content, Newffoundland, with 
the Atlantic Telegraphic Cable, which proved successful. It had 
failed in the previous year. Great rejoicings. It was one of the 
most important events of this century. 

“ 30—Great riot at New Orleans, in which many were killed. It was 
thought the result of President Johnson’s policy of reconstruc¬ 
tion, which was not in harmony with the system adopted by 
Congress. 

Aug. 1—Gen. Sherman commissioned as Lieut. General. 

“ 8—Queen Emma, wife of the late King of the Sandwich Islands, 

arrives at New York, and is received as a National Guest. 

“ 12—Telegraphic communication between New York and Europe com¬ 

plete, by the Atlantic Cable. 

“ 31—American and English naval forces unite to break up piracy by 
Chinese junks in the East Indies. 

Sept. 6—The monument to S. A. Douglas, at Chicago, inaugurated. Pres¬ 
ident Johnson made many speeches on his journey to attend this 
celebration, which were indiscreet, and disrespectful to Congress. 
It was called his “Swinging around the Circle,” in derision; a 
figure employed in one of his speeches. 

Oct. 9—Gen. Geary elected governor of Pennsylvania. 

“ 28—Dedication of The Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, at Winchester, Va. 

Nov. 6—State elections in 12 States are held to-day. 


HISTOEY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


589 


“ 20—The Grand Army of the Republic, Ibrmed of the present and pre¬ 
vious officers of the U. S. Army serving in the late war, hold a 
convention at Indianapolis, Ind. 

“ 22—Raphael Semmes, former Commander of tlie Confederate war 
steamer Alabama, appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy in the 
Louisiana State Seminary. 

Dec. 7—The Louisiana Legislature rejects the 14th Amendment to the 
Constitution. 

“ 13—Territorial Legislature of Colorado organized. 

“ It)—The U. S. frigate New Ironsides burned at League Island. 

“ 22—Massacre of nearly a hundred soldiers near Ft. Kearney. 

“ 24—U. S. Minister John A. Dix enters on his duties in France. 

1867. 

Jan. 7—A suffrage bill for the Dist. of Columbia vetoed by President John¬ 
son, but passed over the veto by Congress. Congress was laboring 
to harmonize the laws of the country with the changes produced 
by the war. President Johnson did his utmost to prevent the suc¬ 
cess of this policy. Congress, however, succeeded in carrying its 
point. This is an important and interesting history, since it shows 
how the Representatives of the Peo})le may check and neutralize 
the power of a President when his designs conflict with the inter¬ 
ests of the country and the purposes of the people. 

“ 8-10—14th Amendment ratified by two States (Missouri and New York) 
and rejected by another (Virginia). 

“ 28—Nebraska bill vetoed, but passed over the veto. 

Most of the Northern State-s ratified the 14th Amendment in this 
month. 

Feb. 20—Military government bill passed Congress. v 

Mar. 1—Nebraska proclaimed a State by the President. 

“ 2—The President vetoes the Military Government and Civil Tenure 

of Office Bills. They are passed over his veto. 

“ 4—The 39th Congress ends, and the 40th is organized. 

“ \\—Military governors assigned to various districts in the South. 

“ 30 —The President announces the ratification of the treaty with Russia, 
by which the United States bought all her North xlmericau Pos¬ 
sessions for $7,200,000. 

3 —Gen. Burnside re-elected governor of Rhode Island. 

May 13)—Jeff. Davis admitted to bail in $100,000; Horace Greeley and 
others furnish the bonds. 

June 19—The Arch Duke Maximilian, Titular Emperor of Mexico, shot by 
order of the Mexican Republican government. The remonstrances 
of the U. S. government obliged the French to withdraw their 
support from Maximilian. 

jujy 13 —The steamer Dunderberg, bought by France, sailed for Cherbourg. 

Au^. 1—Gov. Brownlow re-elected governor of Tennessee. 


590 


inSTOKY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


“ 5—Thu President reciuires Mr. Stanton, Sec. of War, to resign. He 

refuses, when the President suspends him and appoints Gen. Grant. 

“ 23—Grand ovation to Admiral Farragiit, by Russian officers at Cron- 

stadt. 

Sept. 17—The National Cemetery at Antietam dedicated. 

Dec. 4—The Patrons of Husbandry, or Farmers’ Grange, organized, in 
W ashington. 

“ 7—A resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach President 

Johnson fails by three votes. 

1868. 

Jan. 1—Fifth Emancipation Anniversary celebrated by the colored people 
in various places. 

“ 6—Censure of the President by Congress for removing Gen. Sheridan 

from command of the 5th Military District. 

Feb. 7—The resignation of U. S. Minister to England, Hon. C. F. Adams, 
announced. 

“ 19 —Senate refuse his seat to P. F. Thomas, of Maryland, on account 
of disloyalty. 

“ 20—The Legislature of New Jersey withdraws its ratiticatioii of the 
14th Amendment. Ohio and Oregon did the same. This action, 
considered as absurd as Secession, was not recognized. 

“ 21—President Johnson expels Mr. Stanton, Sec. of War, and appoints 
Gen. Thomas. This is done in defiance of the Senate, by whose 
“advice and consent” the Constitution requires it to be supported. 

“ 24—The House of Representatives adopt articles of impeachment of 
the President presented by Thaddeus Stephens, of Pa., by a vote 
of 126 to 57, This was 12 more than the requisite two-thirds. 

Mar. 5—The Senate is organized as a Court of Impeachment, Chief Justice 
Chase presiding. 

May 16—The impeachment trial terminated by a vote in the Senate of 35 
for, to 19 against. As a two-thirds vote was necessary the impeach¬ 
ment failed by three votes. A few Republican Senators incurred 
great odium by voting for the President’s acquittal. 

“ 20—Gen. Grant nominated for President by the Republican Convention 
at Chicago. 

“ 22—A Chinese embassy, headed by Hon. Anson Burlingame, who had 
been U. S. Minister to China and acquired the confidence of the 
government of China to such an extent as to be chosen by them 
as the leader of their embassy to this country and the governments 
of Europe, arrived at New York. 

“ 29—Gen. Schofield appointed Sec. of War. 

June 5—Mr. Burlingame and the Chinese emliassy presented to the Presi¬ 
dent. 

“ 6—A Bill for the re-admission of Arkansas passes Congress. 


IIIHTOKY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


591 


9-Bills for the re-admission of North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida are passed. 

‘‘ 12—flon. Reverdy Johnson appointed Minister to England. 

20—Bill for re-admission of Ark. vetoed by the President, but passed 
over his veto by a two-thirds vote. 

admission of the other States being vetoed by 
the President W’as likewise passed over his veto. 

July 4—Horatio Seymour of N. Y. and F. P. Blair of Mo. nominated for 
President and Vice-President by the Democrats. 

A political amnesty proclamation issued by the President. 

16—Admiral Farragut received with distinguished honor by the Queen 
of England. 

20— A Bill to exclude the electoral votes of the Southern States not 
re-admitted vetoed by the President and passed by Congress over 
the veto. 

21— The 14th Amendment declared ratified, and a part of the Consti¬ 
tution. 

28—Military government ceases in Arkansas, North and South Caro¬ 
lina, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida aiid Alabama. 

Aug. 6—Jefterson Davis lands in Liverpool, England. 

“ 13—U. S. steamers Wateree and Fredonia destroyed during an earth¬ 

quake at Lima, Peru; 40,000 lives were lost in this dreadful catas¬ 
trophe. 

Sept. 7—Negro members of the Georgia Legislature expelled on account of 
race, contrary to the 14th Amendment. 

“ 18—Battle with the Indians on Republican River. Lt. Beecher and 

others killed. 

“ 19—Riot at Camilla, Geo., caused by hostility of Southern people to 

the political privileges of the blacks. Many negroes killed. 

“ 29—Gen. Reynolds, military governor of Texas, forbids the election 
in that State for President, Texas not having been re-admitted. 
This was in accordance with the law of Congress passed the 20th 
of July. 

Oct. 17—The Legislature of Oregon withdraws its assent once given to the 
14th Amendment. 

Nov. 3—U. S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax elected President and Vice. 
President. Popular majority 309,722. Electoral votes for Grant 
and Colfax, 214; for Seymour and Blair, 80. Virginia, Missis¬ 
sippi and Texas did not vote, and Nevada was not counted in_ 
The whole popular vote was 5,722,984. In Florida the electors 
were chosen by the Legislature. 

“ 27—The Indians defeated by Gen. Custar, on the Washita river. Black 
Kettle, the chief, and more than a hundred warriors killed. 

•Dec. 1—Ft. Lafayette, N. Y., destroyed by fire. 


502 


rilSTOKY OF THE UJ^ITKD STATES. 


“ ;3—Political troubles in Arkansas, in which many murders are com¬ 

mitted. 

“ 7 —Tliird session of the 40th Coni^ress begins. 

“ 15—A social gathering of the Union soldiers at Chicago. 

“ 25—A proclamation of general amnesty issued by President Johnson, 

which, with few exceptions, admits the Southern people to the 
general rights of citizens of the United States. It was not believed 
by the statesmen and people of the Republican party that it was 
safe to restore these privileges until now, they were so hostile to 
the new status of the negroes. 

1869. 

Jan. 7—John Minor Bolts, a statesman of Va., imprisoned by the Confed¬ 
erate government during the war for his Union sentiments, died. 

Feb. 27—A joint resolution of Congress recommends to the States the 
adoption of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. 

Mar. 4—Gen. Grant inaugurated eighteenth President. 

“ “—First session of the 41st Congress commenced. 

“ 18—James Guthrie, a statesman of Ky., died. 

“ 25—Hon. E. Bates, of Mo., Att’y Gen’l under Lincoln, died. 

J uly 80—Hon. I. Toucey, of Conn., who had tilled many offices in the 
State and United States government, died. 

Sept. 8—William B. Fessenden, of Me., a statesman of reputation, died. 

“ 10—John Bell, of Ky., candidate for the Presidency in 1860, died. 

“ 6—Gen. J. A. Rawlins, Sec. of War, died. He had been Gen. Grant’s 

Chief of Staff during the war. 

Oct. 8—Franklin Pierce, of N. H., ex-President, died. 

Nov. 7—Rear Admiral Stewart, of U. S. Navy, died. 

Dec. 24—Edwin M. Stanton, of Pa., Sec. of War during most of the civil 
war, died. 

This year closes a most important era in the history of the United 
States, and of the world. The account with the civil war was 
definitely closed, and the final seal set on the policy of reconstruc¬ 
tion by the inauguration of Gen. Grant, and the continuance of 
the Republican party in power by the people, together with the 
readmission of most of the Southern States and the possibility of 
the reversal of the decision in regard to slavery done away by the 
adoption of the fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, giving 
the elective franchise to the colored population. Much emphasis 
was given to all these things by the prosperity of the country, and 
the rapid reduction of the debt, by the generally wise conduct of 
the Southern people, and the slowly increasing prosperity of that 
section. These results reacted in other countries to strengthen 
the tendency to freer and more popular governments, and seem, in 
some fespects to have introduced the Era of Republicanism. 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STx\TES. 


593 


However slow may be the changes in this direction, they are sure 
to be made. . 

1870. 

Jan. 1—Ten years ago the cloud of civil war settled densely over the 
country, and threatened its destruction. To-day that tornado has 
been passed by nearly six years, and its ruins are almost buried 
under the new and more thrifty growth of all interests and indus¬ 
tries even in the South. 

“ 20—H. R. Revels, of Miss., is chosen the first colored Senator who 
ever represented a State in Congress. 

“ 28—The U. S. steamer Oneida sunk by collision with another vessel on 

the coast of Japan. 176 lives lost. 

Feb. 22—Hon. Anson Burlingame, head of the Chinese embassy to the 
powers of Christendom, died at St. Petersburg, Russia. 

M ar. 28—Gen. G. H. Thomas dies in San Francisco, Cal. 

“ 30—The Sec. of State proclaims the ratification of the 15th Amend¬ 
ment to the U. S. Constitution by three-fourths of tin* States. 

June 15—Death of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, at Baltimore, Md. 

July 12—Death of Admiral Dahlgren, at Washington, D. C. 

“ 20—Death of M. Prevost Paradol, French Minister at Washington. 

Aug. 14—Death of Admiral Farragut, at Portsmouth, N. H. 

Sept. 7—Recognition of the French R(*public by the U. S. government. 

Oct. 12—Death of Gen. R. E. Lee, formerly of the Confederate army. 

1871. 

Great changes have been taking places in Euroix*. The Emperor, Napo¬ 
leon III. taken prisoner by the Germans, his government was set aside by 

the people of France who founded a Republic. 

Jan. 1—At this time the German army, under the lead of the King of 
Prussia (about this time made Emi)eror of Germany), is besieging 
Paris, the capital of France. 

“ 17 —The San Domingo Commission sail from New York. 

“ 28—Paris capitulat(*s to the Germans, which ends the Franco-Prussian 

war, terms of peace being soon arranged. 

Feb. 12—Alice Carey, the authorCwSS, died at New York. 

“ 10—An important Japanese mission to the U. S. and other governments 

arrives at San Francisco. 

Mar. 1—The Germans make a triumphal entry into Paris. 

“ 20—British House of Commons votes $265,000 for the relief of Paris. 

Apr. 20—A Bill against the Kuklux, a secret organization of Southern con¬ 
spirators and murderers, passed in Congress. 

May 1—The Legal Tender Act declared Constitutional by the U. S. Supreme 
C'ourt. 

u 8l_The French government does not imitate our clemency to prison¬ 
ers taken in rebellion. The soldiers of the Commune are slaugh¬ 
tered by thousands, by order of the Court Martial of the govern- 
ment army. 


594 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


June 18—An earthquake on Long and Staten Islands, N. Y. 

“ 20—The first Atlantic Cable of 1865, which soon broke and became 
useless, is recovered and worked. 

July 5—Earthquake at Visalia, Cal. 

“ 12—Irish Catholic riot in New York; 51 killed, 30 wounded. 

“ 30—Steamer Westfield explodes, killing near 100 people. 

Sept. 17—The Mont Cenis Tunnel, opening a passage for a railroad 7 3-5ths 
miles long through the Alps from France to Italy, inaugurated. It 
had been many years building. 

Oct. 2—Brigham Young, the head of the Mormons in Utah, arrested for 
bigamy. 

“ 8—A fire nearly consumes Chicago, destroying property worth 

!i'200,000,000 and many lives. Fires rage in the forests of Wiscon¬ 
sin and Michigan. Much property, some towns, and many persons 
are burned. 

“ 17—South Carolina placed under martial law. 

$2,050,000 received in aid of the people of Chicago. 

Nov. 15—Cholera appears on vessels at New York. 

“ 18—The Grand Duke Alexis, of Russia, arrives at New York. He 
travels through the country for some months. 

Dec. 9—Commissioners of the English and U. S. governments meet in 
Washington to settle the difficulties between the two governments 
arising from the spoliations of the Alabama. 

“ 16—Catacazy, the Russian Minister, called home at the request of our 

government. 

“ 29—Investigation of abuses in the New York city government com¬ 
mences. W. M. Tweed surrenders to the sheriff. 

1872. 

Jan. 2—Brigham Young arrested on a charge of murder. 

Mar. 7—Trial and conviction of Kuklux prisoners in Ala.; 3 sentenced to 
imprisonment for 20 3 "ears. 

Apr. 1—The colored people celebrate the adoption of 15tli Amendment. 

May 3—Horace Greeley nominated for President by a convention at Cin¬ 
cinnati, O. 

“ 22—The General Amnesty Bill signed by the President. 

“ 30—Graves of the Union soldiers decorated throughout the country. 

June 6—Grant and Wilson nominated for President and Vice-President. 

“ 26—Trial of Stokes for the murder of Fisk begun. After several trials 
he was condemned to imprisonment for murder. 

.July 24—Spotted-Tail and other western Indians visit Washington. 

Aug. 16—Yellow Fever appears at New York. 

Sept. 2—Father Hyacinthe, a liberal French Catholic priest, marries an 
American lady. 

“ 14—The arbitrators of the Alabama Claims, to whom the case had been 

submitted, and who had been two months sitting at Geneva, Swit- 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATE?. 


595 


zerland, announced their award. The United States was to receive 
$15,500,000 in gold. 

Cct. 14—Wm. II. Seward, one of our most distinguished statesmen, is this 
day buried at Auburn, N. Y. 

About this time the Horse disease commences, and spreads rapidly 
over the whole country. 

Nov. 5—In the presidential election on this day President Grant is re¬ 
elected. 

9—A great fire in Boston, Mass. Loss $75,000,000 in buildings and 
merchandise. Insurance $50,000,000. 

In this month and December following storms of extreme severity 
caused great Iq^s of life and property. An overflow of the river 
Po, in Italy, rendered 40,000 persons homeless. In the Baltic Sea 
80 vessels were wrecked, some islands were inundated, and all 
their inhabitants drowned. It was not less severe on the coasts of 
England and Ireland. 

“ 29—Horace Greeley, recent candidate for President of the U. 8., died, 
aged 62 years. 

Dec. 11—The King of the Sandwich Islands, Kamehameha V., died, 
leaving no heir. 

“ 12—The actor, Edwin Forrest, dies, at Philadelphia. 

“ 17—Edward A. Pollard, editor and author, died. 

Important investigations of abuses in New York city and in the 
conduct of the Pacific Railway are made this winter, and many 
healthy reforms inaugurated. The order of Patrons of Husbandry 
becomes popular among agriculturists, and spreads rapidly, 
through the coming year. 

1873. 

Jan. 7,8,9—A dreadful snow storm occurs in Minnesota, by which 70 lives 
are lost. 

“ 9 The ex-Emperor Napoleon III. dies at Chiselhurst, in England, 

aged 64 years. 

“ 31—At Chicago, 111., Joel A. Matteson, ex-governor of Illinois, died. 

Feb. 1—M. F. Maury, formerly distinguished in the U. S. Naval service, 
dies at Lexington, Va. 

“ 9—J. W. Geary, ex-Governor of Penn., died at Harrisburg. 

“ 15—Steamer Henry A. Jones burned in Galveston Bay, Texas. 21 

lives lost. 

Mar. 3—Congress enacted a law increasing their pay, that of the President, 
and various officers of the government. It extended over the 
whole previous term of the 42d Congress, commencing March 4th, 
1871. This law was very offensive to the mass of the people. 

“ 4—The wreck of the Alaska mail steamer. Geo. S. Wright, is reported 

at Portland, Oregon. All on board, 23 persons, perished, 

“ 16—The Boston steamer, Grace Irving, foundered. 8 lives lost. 


HISTORY OF THK L.NITE1) STATF:S. 




“ 17—Great fire at Lawrencebiirg, Ivy. 

“ 19—San Salvador, Central America, destroyed ])y an earthquake. 

Property destroyed estimated at from $12,000,000 to $20,000,000; 
and 500 lives lost. 

Apr. 1—Steamer Atlantic wrecked near Halifax, N. S. 585 lives lost. 

May 5—James Orr, American Minister to Russia, died, at St. Petersburg, 
aged 51. 

“ 4—An iron bridge at Dixon, Ill., crowded with people witnessing a 

baptism, fell, killing and drowning 100 persons. 

“ 7—Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the U. S., died in New York, 

aged G5. 

“ 8—Hon. Oakes Ames, M. C., died at North Easton, Mass., aged 69. 

John Stuart Mill, a celebrated English philosopher and author, 
died at Avignon, France. 

“ 80—A second great fire in Boston, Mass. 

June 28—Hon. Horace F. Clark, prominent in railway enterprises, died in 
New York. 

“ 27—Hiram Powers, the distinguished American sculptor, died in 
Florence, Italy. 

“ 29—Jesse R. Grant, father of the President, died. 

July 4—Severe storm, very destructive to crops in Ohio, Indiana, Wiscon¬ 
sin and Missouri. 20 persons drowned in Green Lake, Wisconsin. 

Aug. 2—Great fire at Portland, Oregon. Loss $1,500,000. 

“ 24—A storm of unprecedented severity raged on the coast of British 

America, and, at the same time, on the coast of Mexico. More 
than 100 vessels were destroyed in and near the gulf of St. Law¬ 
rence. Some j)opulous islands were quite laid waste. 176 Sailing 
vessels and 12 steamers w^ere lost in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Sept. 15—The propeller Ironsides foundered in Lake Michigan. 31 lives lost. 
The Patrons of Husbandry organize about this time at the rate of 
near 1,000 granges a month. 

In this month commenced a most serious financial panic at New 
York, that spread over the whole country. 

Oct. 26—J. C. Heenan, the prize fighter, died on the Union Pacific R. R. 

Nov. 6—Gen. Sickles, U. S. Minister to Spain, telegraphs to Washington 
the capture of the Virginius by the Cubans. 

“ 8—Stephen R. Mallory, former Sec. of the Confederate Navy, died, 

aged 68. 

“ 19—John P. Hale, of N. H., a statesman of some celebrity, died. 

“ 22—The steamship Ville du Havre run into and sunk by the Loch 

Earn in mid ocean. 226 lives lost. 

“ 27—Richard Yates, ex-U. S. Senator and ex-Governor of Illinois, died 
at St. Louis, aged 55. 

Dec. 1—The 48rd Congress assembles for its first session. 

“ 14—Louis Agassiz, a distinguished naturalist and man of science, died 

at Cambridge, Mass. 


HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 


597 


1874. 

Jan. —The U. S. government narrowly escaped a war with Spain on 
account of the taking of the Virginius by Cuban authorities. That 
vessel was sailing under the American flag which was violated by 
its capture. 54 men were shot as pirates, some of them American 
citizens. The Spanish government disavowed the act, and gave 
up the vessel, Dec. 16th, 1873. It was so much damaged as to 
sink while on the way to the United States. 

^ ^ Revolution in Spain overthrows the government of Seflor 
Castelar. 

^ President sends a message to Congress concerning the Span¬ 

ish difficulty, now substantially settled. 

^ R- S. Senate repeals the bill of March 3rd, 1873, increasing the pay 
of members of Congress. 

9—Hon. Caleb Cushing nominated Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court. 

“ 14—Nomination of Caleb Cushing recalled. 

“ 17—Death of the Siamese twins. 

19—Morrison R. Waite, of Ohio, was nominated by the President as 
Chief Justice and confirmed afterward by the Senate. 

“ 27—Reliable intelligence of the death of David Livingstone, the African 
explorer, reaches England. 

Feb. 4—The seventh annual meeting of the National Grange of the Patrons 
of Husbandry occurs in St. Louis, Mo. 8,000 subordinate granges 
have been added during the 3 ^ear. The Executive Committee state 
that farmers had saved $8,000,000 during the year by their co-oper- 
’ative system. 

Mar. 8—Ex-President Fillmore died, in Buft’alo, N. Y. 

“ 11—Death of Hon. Charles Sumner, a distinguished statesman and 

Senator from Mass., in Washington. He was born in Boston, 
Mass., Jan. 6th, 1811, and was 63 j^ears old. He w'as of a patriotic 
race which originated in the county of Kent, England. His 
grandfather w’as a Major distinguished for valor in the Revolu¬ 
tionary army. Charles Sumner graduated from Harvard College 
in 1830, was admitted to the bar in 1834, and became highl}'^ dis¬ 
tinguished as a lawj^er. He succeeded Daniel Webster in the U. 
S. Senate in 1851, in which he remained till his death, being 
alwa^'S conspicuous as one of the foremost leaders in public affairs. 

“ 24—A bill increasing the currency' to $400,000,000 passed in the U. S. 
House of Representatives hy 168 to 77. 

Apr. 1—The U. S. debt official]v stated to be $2,152,690,728.62. Decrease 
of debt during March, 1874, $2,189,338.46. 

“ 14—The Senate bill increasing the currency passes the House of Rep¬ 

resentatives. Many protests from different parts of the country 
are presented against it as injurious to the credit and interests of 


598 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


the country. The discussion of this measure has occupied much 
of the time of Congress for some months. 

Apr.l8—The funeral of Livingstone, the lamented African explorer, takes 
place in London, England, where his remains had arrived. He 
was interred in Westminster Abbey, as a mark of distinguished 
honor. 

“ 17—Gov. Wm. B. Washburn is elected by the Mass. Legislature to 
represent the State in the U. S. Senate, made vacant by the death 
of Charles Sumner. 

“ 22 —President Grant vetoes the Currency Bill increasing the issues of 
paper money, which defeats the measure, its friends in Congress 
not being numerous enough to pass it over the veto. 


CHAPTEE XXX. 
PAELIAMEXTAEY EULES. 

We give in this chapter the Standing Rules and Orders for conducting 
business in the House of Representatives of the United States, as a proper 
compend of parliamentary rules for the people of the United States. They 
are naturally a standard of procedure in all public bodies in this country 
so far as the circumstances are parallel; they have been carefully compiled 
and adopted by our highest popular Legislative Body during the course of 
more than three-quarters of a century, and may therefore be considered 
thoroughly well adapted to the genius of our people and the character of 
our institutions; and they were originally based on Jefferson’s Manual, 
compiled by him for the use, and at the request of the Senate when, as 
Vice-President of the United States, he became its presiding officer, and 
was digested by him from the usages of the English Parliament and other 
Legislative bodies in Europe. 

The value of this manual is attested by its use continued to the present 
day, so far as it is applicable. The Rules of the House are therefore rep¬ 
resentative of the wisdom of the Old World on this point as well as of the 
usages of the New. 

They deserve to be carefully studied by American citizens above any 
other body of parliamentary rules for several reasons besides those men¬ 
tioned above. Hardly any other will be likely to contain so many points 
of adaptation to popular use; every one should be fairly acquainted with 
the prevailing usages that he may be ready to act his part well if called on 
to preside in any public meeting; all who read the reports of congressional 
doings require such acquaintance with parliamentary usage to fully appre¬ 
ciate many points in such reports, and these Rules are a fine illustration of 
the spirit of our government and the genius of the American people. 



PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


599 


We see, in the most impressive manner, that the utmost pains is taken to 
make Legislative work orderly, decorous, and as rapid as is consistent with 
due care that wdiat is done shall be well and carefully done; that no pains 
are spared, in regulations^ that every legislator shall have the means of know¬ 
ing all that is his special business to know; and we discover that proper care 
is taken to see that economy and faithfulness are constantly observed by all 
the officers of the government. If this is not always actually the case there 
is, at least, no fault in the arrangements, rules and orders to that effect. All 
the people should know to what they may properly hold their Repre¬ 
sentatives accountable, and they will be prepared to judge of the extent 
of obedience or transgression. The Rules are just and good. Let the 
people see that they are properly observed. 

The House of Representatives has 160 Rules, the Senate 52, and the 
Joint Rules of the House and Senate, regulating their intercourse with 
each other, number 22. Whatever of difference exists between them is 
unimportant after due allowance is made for the different character and 
constitution of the two bodies. The principles on which they are founded 
are identical. 

STANDING RULES AND ORDERS FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS 
IN THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES OF 
THE UNITED STATES. 

THE DUTY OF THE SPEAKER. 

1. He shall take the chair every day precisely at the hour to which the 
House shall have adjourned on the preceding day; shall immediately call 
the members to order; and, on the appearance of a quorum, shall cause 
the journal of the preceding day to be read. 

2. He shall preserve order and decorum; may speak to points of order 
in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and 
shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House by any 
two members—on which appeal no member shall speak more than once, 
unless by leave of the House. 

3. He shall rise to put a question, but may state it sitting. 

4. Questions shall be distinctly put in this form, to wit: “As many as 
are of opinion that (as the question may be) say Aye;’'"' and after the 
affimative voice is expressed, “ As many as are of the contrary opinion 
say Wo.” If the Speaker doubt, or a division be called for, the House 
shall divide; those in the affirmative of the question shall first rise from 
their seats, and afterwards those in the negative. If the Speaker still 
doubt, or a. count be required by at least one-fifth of the quorum of the 
members, the Speaker shall name two members, one from each side, to tell 
the members in the affirmative and negative — which being reported, he 
shall rise and state the decision to the House. 

5. The Speaker shall examine and correct the journal before it is read. 


600 


PAIi.IJAMP]NTAKY RULES. 


He shall have a general direction of the hall, and the unappropriated 
rooms in that part of the capitol assigned to the House shall be subject to 
his order and disposal until the further order of the House. He shall have 
a riglit to name any member to perform the duties of the chair, but such 
substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment. 

6. No person shall be permitted to perform divine service in the cham¬ 
ber occupied by the House of Representatives, unless with the consent of 
the Speaker. 

7. In all cases of ballot by the House, the Speaker shall vote; in other 
cases he shall not be required to vote, unless the House be equally divided, 
or unless his vote, if given to the minority, will make the division equal; 
and in case of such equal division, the question shall be lost. 

8. All acts, addresses, and joint resolutions, shall be signed by the 
Speaker; and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas, issued by order of the 
House, shall be under his hand and seal, attested by the clerk. 

9. In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or 
lobby, the Speaker (or Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House,) 
shall have power to order the same to be cleared. 

OF THE CLERK AND OTHER OFFICERS. 

10. There shall be elected at the commencement of each Congress, to 
continue in office until their successors are appointed, a clerk, sergeant-at- 
arms, doorkeeper, and postmaster, each of whom shall take an oath for the 
true and faithful discharge of the duties of his office, to the best of his 
knowledge and abilities, and to keep the secrets of the House; and the 
appointees of the doorkeeper and postmaster shall be subject to the 
approval of the Speaker; and, in all cases of election by the House of its 
officers, the vote shall be taken viva voce. 

11. In all cases where other than members of the House may be eligi¬ 
ble to an office by the election of the House, there shall be a previous 
nomination. 

12. In all other cases of ballot than for committees, a majority of the 
votes given shall be necessary to an election; and where there shall not be 
such a majority on the first ballot, the ballots shall be repeated until a 
majority be obtained. And in all ballotings blanks shall be rejected, and 
not taken into the count in enumeration of the votes, or reported by the 
tellers. 

13. It shall be the duty of the clerk to make and cause to be printed 
and delivered to each member at the commencement of every session of 
Congress, a list of the reports which it is the dut}^ of any officer or depart¬ 
ment of the government to make to Congress; referring to the act or reso¬ 
lution and page of the volume of the laws or journal in which it may be 
contained, and placing under the name of each officer the list of reports 
required to be made, and the time when the report may be expected. 

14. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the House at the end of each 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


601 


session, to send a printed copy of the journals thereof to the Executive, 
and to each branch of the Legislature of every State. 

15. All questions of order shall be noted by the clerk, with the decision, 
and put together at the end of the journal of every session. 

IG. The clerk shall, within thirty days after the close of each session of 
Congress, cause to be completed the printing and primary distribution to 
members and delegates, of the Journal of the House, together with an 
accurate index of the same. 

17. There shall be retained in the library of the clerk’s office, for the 
use of the members there, and not to be withdrawn therefrom, two copies 
of all the books and printed documents deposited in the librar 3 ^ 

18. The clerk shall have jireserved for each member of the House an 
extra copj", in good binding, of all the documents printed bj' order of 
either House at each future session of Congress. 

19. The clerk shall make a weekly statement of the resolutions and 
bills (Senate bills inclusive) upon the Speaker’s table accompanied with a 
brief reference to the orders and proceedings of the House upon each, and 
the date of such order and proceedings; which statement shall be printed 
for the use of the members. 

20. The clerk shall cause an index to be prepared toJ,he acts passed at 
every session of Congress, and to be printed and bound with the acts. 

21. All contracts, bargains, or agreements, relative to the furnishing 
any matter or thing or for the performance of any labor for the House of 
Representatives, shall be made witli the clerk, or approved by him, before 
any allowances shall be made therefor by the Committee of Accounts. 

22. It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms to attend the House dur¬ 
ing its sittings; to aid in the enforcement of order under the direction of 
the Speaker; to execute the commands of the House from time to time; 
together with ail such process, issued by authority thereof, as shall be 
directed to him b}' the Speaker. 

23. The s^mibol of his office (the mace) shall be borne by the sergeant- 
at-arms when in the execution of his office. 

24. The fees of the sergeant-at-arms shall be for ever^^ arrest, the sum of 
two dollars; for each daj^’s custody and releasement, one dollar; and for 
traveling expenses for himself or a special messenger, going and returning, 
one-tenth of a dollar for each mile necessarily and actually traveled by 
such officer or other person in the execution of such precept or summons. 

25. It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms to keep the accounts for 
the pay and mileage of members, to prepare checks, and, if required to do 
so, to draw the money on such checks for the members, (the same being 
previously signed by the Speaker, and endorsed by the member,) and pay 
over the same to the member entitled thereto. 

26. The sergeant-at-arms shall give bond, with surety, to the United 
States, in a sum not less than five nor more than ten thousand dollars, at 
the discretion of the Speaker, and with sucli surety as the Speaker may 


602 


PAKLIAMENTARY RULES. 


approve, faithfully to account for the money coming into his hands for 
the pay of members. 

27. The doorkeeper shall execute strictly the 134th and 135th rules, 
relative to the privilege of the hall. And he shall be required, at the com¬ 
mencement and close of each session of Congress, to take an inventory of 
all the furniture, books, and other public property in the several committee 
and other rooms under his charge, and shall report the same to the House; 
which report shall be referred to the Committee on Accounts, who shall 
determine the amount for which he shall be held liable for missing articles. 

28. The postmaster shall superintend the post-office kept in the capitol 
for the accommodation of the members. 

OF THE MEMBERS. 

29. No member shall vote on any question in the event of which he is 
immediately and particularly interested, or in any case where he was not 
within the bar of the House when the question was put. And when any 
member shall ask leave to vote, the Speaker shall propound to him the 
question, “Were you within the bar before the last name on the roll was 
called ? ” and if he shall answ^er in the negative the Speaker shall not fur¬ 
ther entertain the request of such member to vote: Provided, however, that 
any member who was absent by leave of the House, may vote at any time 
before the result is announced. 

30. Upon a division and count of the house on any question, no mem¬ 
ber without the bar shall be counted. 

31. Every member who shall be in the house when the question is put, 
shall give his vote unless the House shall excuse him. All motions to 
excuse a member from voting, shall be made before the house divides, or 
before the call of the yeas and nays is commenced; and the question shall 
then be taken without debate. 

32. The name of a member who presents a petition or memorial, or who 
offers a resolution for the consideration of the House, shall be inserted on 
the journals. 

33. No member shall absent himself from the service of the House 
unless he have leave, or be sick and unable to attend. 

OF CALLS OF THE HOUSE. 

34. Any fifteen members (including the Speaker, if there be one), shall 
be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members. 

35. Upon calls of the House, or in taking the yeas and nays on any 
question, the names of the members shall be called alphabetically. 

36. Upon the call of the House, the names of the members shall be 
called over by the clerk, and the absentees noted; after which the names 
of the absentees shall again be called over; the doors shall then be shut, 
and those for whom no excuse or insufficient excuses are made may, by 
order of those present, if fifteen in number, be taken into custody as they 


PARLIAMENTAEY RULES. 003 

appear, or may be sent for and taken into custody, wherever to be found, 
by special messengers to be appointed for that purpose. 

?u. When a member shall be discharged from custody, and admitted to ' 
his seat, the House shall determine whether such discharge shall be with 
or without paying fees; and in like manner whether a delinquent member, 
taken into custody by a special messenger, shall or shall not be liable to 
defray the expenses of such special messenger. 

ON MOTIONS, THEIR PRECEDENCE, ETC. 

38. When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the 
Speaker; or, being in writing, it shall be handed to the chair and read 
aloud by the clerk, before debated. 

39. Every motion shall be reduced to writing if the Speaker or any 
member desire it. Every written motion made to the House shall be 
inserted on the journals, with the name of the member making it, unless 
it be withdrawn on the same day on which it was submitted. 

40. After a motion is stated by the Speaker, or read by the clerk, it 
shall be deemed to be in the possession of the House, but may be with¬ 
drawn at any time before a decision or amendment. 

41. When any motion or proposition is made, the question, “ Will the 
House now consider it ? ” shall not be put unless it is demanded by some 
member, or is deemed necessary by the Speaker. 

42. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but 
to adjourn, to lie on the table, for the previous question, to postpone to a 
certain day, to commit or amend, to postpone indefinitely; which several 
motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged; 
and no motion to postpone to a certain day, to commit, or postpone indefin¬ 
itely, being decided, shall be again allowed on the same day, and at the 
same stage of the bill or proposition. 

43. When a resolution shall be offered, or a motion made, to refer anj^ 
subject, and different committees shall be proposed, the question shall be 
taken in the following order: 

The Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; the Com¬ 
mittee of the Whole House; a Standing Committee; a Select Committee. 

44. A motion to adjourn, and a motion to fix the day to which the 
House shall adjourn, shall be always in order; these motions and the 
motion to lie on the table, shall be decided without debate. 

45. The hour at which every motion to adjourn is made shall be entered 
on the journal. 

46. Any member may call for the division of a question before or after 
the main question is ordered, which shall be divided if it comprehend 
propositions in substance so distinct that, one being taken away, a sub¬ 
stantive proposition shall remain for the decision of the House. A motion 
to strike out and insert shall be deemed indivisible; but a motion to strike 
out being lost, shall preclude neither amendment nor a motion to strike 
out and insert. 


604 


PARLIAMENTARY RUTPS. 


47. Motions and reports may be committed at the pleasure of the House. 

48. No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under 
consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment. No bill or 
resolution shall, at any time, be amended by annexing thereto, or incor¬ 
porating therewith, any other bill or resolution pending before the House. 

49. When a motion has been once made, and carried in the affirmative 
or negative, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move 
for the reconsideration thereof, on the same or succeeding day; and such 
motion shall take precedence of all other questions, except a motion to 
adjourn, and shall not be withdrawn after the said succeeding day vdthout 
the consent of the House; and thereafter any member may call it up for 
consideration. 

50. In filling up blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be first 
put. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE DAY". 

51. As soon as the journal is read, and the unfinished business in which 
the House was engaged at the last preceding adjournment has been dis¬ 
posed of, reports from committees shall be called for and disposed of; in 
doing which the Speaker shall call upon each standing committee in reg- 
ular order, and then upon select committees; and if the Speaker shall not 
get through the call upon the committees before the House passes to other 
business, he shall resume the next call where he left off, giving preference 
to the report last under consideration; Provided, That whenever any com¬ 
mittee shall have occupied the morning hour on two days, it shall not be 
in order for such committee to report further until the other committees 
shall have been called in their turn. On the call for reports from commit¬ 
tees on each alternate Monday, which shall commence as soon as the 
journal is read, all bills reported during the first hour after the 
journal is read shall be committed, without debate, to the Committee of 
the Whole, and together with their accompanying reports, printed; and 
if during the hour all the committees are not called, then, on the next 
alternate Monday, the Speaker shall commence where such call was sus¬ 
pended : Provided, That no bill reported under the call on alternate Mon¬ 
days, and committed, shall be again brought before the House by a motion 
to reconsider. 

52. Reports from committees having been presented and disposed of, 
the Speaker shall call for resolutions from the members of each State and 
delegate from each Territory, beginning with Maine and the Territory last 
organized, alternately; and they shall not be debated on the very day of 
their being presented, nor on any day assigned by the House for the receipt 
of resolutions, unless where the House shall direct otherwise, but shall lie 
on the table, to be taken up in the order in which they are presented; and 
if on any day the whol6 of the States and Territories shall not be called, 
the Speaker shall begin on the next day where he left off the previous day: 
Provided, That no member shall offer more than one resolution, or one 


I'ARI.IAMKNTAKY RULES. (;()5 

series of resolutions, all relating to the same subject, until all the States 
and Territories shall have been called. 

5:1 A proposition requesting information from the President of the 
United States, or directing it to be furnished by the head of either of tlie 
Executive departments, or by the Postmaster General—shall lie on the 
table one day tor consideration, unless otherwise ordered by the unani¬ 
mous consent ot the House, and all sucli propositions shall be taken up 
for consideration in the order they were presented, immediately after 
reports are called for from select committees, and when adopted the clerk 
shall cause the same to be delivered. 

o4. Alter one hour shall have been devoted to reports front committees 
and resolutions, it shall be in order, pending the consideration or discus¬ 
sion thereof, to entertain a motion that the House do now proceed to dis¬ 
pose of the business on the Speaker’s table, and to the orders of the day— 
which being decided in the affirmative, the Speaker shall dispose of the 
business on his table in the following order, viz.: 

1 st. Messages and other Executive communications. 

2d. Messages from the Senate, and amendments proposed by the Senate to 
bills of the House. 

3d. Bills and resolutions from the Senate on their tirst and second reading, 
that they be referred to committees and put under way; but if, on being 
read a second time, no motion being made to commit, they are to be 
ordered to their third reading unless objection be made.‘ in which case, 
if not otherwise ordered by a majority of the H<nise, they are t<> be 
laid on the table in general tile of bills on the Si)eaker’s table, to be 
taken up in their turn. 

4th. Engrossed bills and bills from the Senate on their third reading. 

5th. Bills of the House and from the Senate on the Speaker’s table, on their 
engrossment, or on being ordered to a third reading, to be taken up 
and considered in the order of time in which they passed to a second 
reading. 

The messages, communications and bills on his table having been dis¬ 
posed of, the Speaker shall then proceed to call the orders of the day. 

55. The business specified in the 54th and 130th rules shall be done at 
no other part of the day, except by permission of the House. 

56. The consideration of the unfinished business in which the House 
may be engaged at an adjournment shall be resumed as soon as the jour¬ 
nal of the next day is read, and at the same time each day thereafter until 
disposed of; and if, from any cause, other business shall intervene, it shall 
be resumed as soon as such other business is disposed of. And the consid¬ 
eration of all other unfinished business shall be resumed wdienever the 
class of business to which it belongs shall be in order under the rules. 

OF DECORUM AND DEBATE. 

57. When any member is about to speak in debate, or deliver any matter 


rAKLIAMENTARY RULES. 


GOf) 


to the House, he shall rise from his seat and respectfully address himself 
to “ Mr. Speaker ” — and shall confine himself to the question under debate, 
and avoid personality. 

58. Members may address the House or committee from the clerk’s desk, 
or from a place near the Speaker’s chair. 

59. When two or more members happen to rise at once, the Speaker 
shall name the member who is first to speak. 

(10. No member shall occupy more than one hour in debate on any 
(piestion in the House, or in committee; but a member reporting the 
measure under consideration from a committee may open and close the 
debate, provided that when debate is closed by order of the House, any 
member shall be allowed, in committee, five minutes to explain any 
amendment he may offer, after which any member who shall first obtain 
the floor shall be allowed to speak five minutes in opposition to it, and 
there shall be no further debate on the amendment; but the same privilege 
of debate shall be allowed in favor of and against any amendment that 
may be offered to the amendment; and neither the amendment nor an 
amendment to the amendment shall be withdrawn by the mover thereof, 
unless by the unanimous consent of the committee. Provided further, that 
the House may, by the vote of a majority of the members present, at any 
time after the five minutes’ debate has taken place upon proposed amend¬ 
ments to any section or paragraph of a bill, close all debate upon such 
section or paragraph, or at their election upon the pending amendments 
only. 

61. If any member in speaking or otherwise, transgress the rules of the 
House, the Speaker shall, or any member may call him to order; in which 
case the member so called to order shall immediately sit down, unless per¬ 
mitted to explain; and the House shall, if appealed to, decide on the case, 
but without debate; if there be no appeal the decision of the chair shall 
be submitted to. If the decision be in favor of the member called to order, 
he shall be at liberty to proceed; if otherwise, he shall not be permitted to 
proceed, in case any member object, without leave of the House; and if 
the case require it, he shall be liable to the censure of the House. 

62. If any member be called to order for words spoken in debate, the 
person calling him to order shall repeat the words excepted to, and they 
shall be taken down in writing at the clerk’s table; and no member shall 
be held to answer, or be subject to the censure of the House, for words 
spoken in debate, if any other member has spoken, or other business has 
intervened, after the words spoken, and before exception to them shall 
have been taken. 

63. No member shall speak more than once to the same question with¬ 
out leave of the House, unless he be the mover, proposer or introducer of 
the matter pending; in which case he shall be permitted to speak in reply, 
but not until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken. 

64. If a question depending be lost by adjournment of the House, and 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 607 

revived on the succeeding day, no member who shall have spoken on the 
preceding day shall be permitted again to speak without leave. 

65. While the Speaker is putting any question, or addressing the House, 
none shall walk out of or across the House; nor in such case, or when a 
member is speaking, shall entertain private discourse; nor while a member 
is speaking, shall pass between him and the chair. Every member shall 
remain uncovered during the session of the House. No member or other 
person shall visit or remain by the clerk’s table while the ayes and noes 
are calling, or ballots are counting. 

66 . All questions relating to the priority of business to be acted on shall 
be decided without debate. 

OF COMMITTEES. 

67. All committees shall be appointed by the Speaker, unless otherwise 
specially directed by the House, in which case they shall be appointed by 
ballot; and if upon such ballot the number required shall not be elected 
by a majority of the votes given, the House shall proceed to a second 
ballot, in w’hich a plurality of votes shall prevail; and in case a greater 
number than is required to compose or complete a committee shall have 
an equal number of votes, the House shall proceed to a further ballot or 
ballots. 

68 . The first named member of any eommittee shall be the ehairman; 
and in his absence, or being excused by the House, the next named mem¬ 
ber, and so on, as often as the case shall happen, unless the committee, by 
a majority of their number, elect a chairman. 

69. Any member may excuse himself from serving on any committee 
at the time of his appointment, if he is then a member of two other com¬ 
mittees. 

70. It shall be the duty of a committee to meet on the call of any two 
of its members, if the chairman be absent, or decline to appoint such 
meeting. 

71. The several standing committees of the House shall have leave to 
report by bill or otherwise. 

72. No committee shall sit during the sitting of the House without 
special leave. 

73. No committee shall be permitted to employ a clerk at the public 
expense, without first obtaining leave of the House for that purpose. 

74. Thirty-one standing committees shall be appointed at the commence¬ 
ment of each Congress, viz.: 

TO CONSIST OF NINE MEMBERS EACH. 

A Committee of Elections.—Nov. 13, 1789. 

A Committee of Ways and Means.—Jan. 1802. • 

A Committee on Appropriations.—]\Iareh 2, 1865. 

* A Committee on Banking and Currency.— March 2, 1865. 

A Committee on the Pacific Railroad.—March 2, 1865. 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


r)(»« 

A Committee on Claims.—Kov. 13, 1794. 

A Committee on Commerce.—Dec. 14, 1795. 

A (.V)mmittee on Public Lands.—Dec. 17, 1805. 

A Committee on the Post-Office and Post-lioads.—Nov. 9, 1808. 

A Committee for the District of Columbia.—Jan. 27, 1808. 

A Committee on the Judiciary.—June 3, 1813. 

A Committee on Revolutionary Claims.—Dec. 22, 1813. 

A Committee on Public Expenditures.—Feb. 2(5, 1814. 

A Committee on Private Land Claims.—April 29, 181(5. 

A Committee on Manufactures.—Dec. 8, 1819. 

A Committee on Agriculture.—May 3, 1820. 

A Committee on Indian Atfairs.—Dec. 18, 1821. 

A Committee on Military Atfairs.—March 13, 1822. 

A Committee on Militia.—Dec. 10, 1835. 

A Committee on Naval Affairs.—March 13, 1822. 

A Committee on Foreign Affairs.—March 13, 1822. 

Iv Committee on the Territories.—Dec. 13, 1825. 

A Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.—Dec. 9, 1825. 

A Committee on Invalid Pensions.—Jan. 10, 1831. 

A Committee on Roads and Canals.—Dec. 15, 1831. 

A Committee on Patents.—Sept. 15,1837. 

TO CONSIST OF FIVE MEMBERS EACH. 

A Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.—Sept. 15, 1837. 

A Committee of Revisal and Unffnished Business.—Dec. 14, 1795. 

A Committee on Accounts.—Nov. 7, 1804. 

A Committee on Mileage.—Sept. 15, 1837. 

A Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures.—Jan. 21, 1864. 

75. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Elections to examine and 
report upon the certificates of election, or other credentials, of the nienv 
bers returned to serve in this House, and to take into their consideration 
all such petitions and other matters touching elections and returns as shall 
or may be presented or come into question, and be referred to them by the 
House. 

76. It shall be the duty of the Committee c)n Appropriations to take 
into consideration all Executive communications and such other proposi¬ 
tions in regard to carrying on the several departments of the government 
as may be presented and referred to them by the House. 

In preparing bills of appropriations for other objects, the Committee on 
Appropriations shall not include appropriations for carrying into effect 
treaties made by the United States; and where an appropriation bill shall 
be referred to them for their consideration, which contains appropriations 
for carrying a treaty into effect, and for other objects, they shall ])ropose 
such amendments as shall prevent appropriations for canying a treaty 
into effect being included in the same bill with appropriations for other 
objects. 


PARLIAMKXTARY RUF.ES. 


609 


77. It shall also be the duty of the Committee on Appropriations, within 
thirty clays after their appointment, at every session of Congress, commenc¬ 
ing on the first Monday of December, to report the general appropriation 
bills for legislative, executive, and judicial expenses; for sundry civil 
expenses; for consular and diplomatic expenses; for the army; for the 
navy; tor the expenses of the Indian Department; for the paj^ment of 
invalid and other pensions; for the support of the Military Academy; for 
fortifications; for the service of the Postoffice Department, and for mail 
transportation by ocean steamers; or, in failure thereof, the reasons of such 
failure. And said committee shall have leave to report said bills (for ref¬ 
erence only) at any time. 

78. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Claims to take into consid¬ 
eration all such petitions and matters or things touching claims and 
denTands on the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come 
in cpiestion, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their ojun- 
ion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them 
shall seem expedient. 

79. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Commerce to take into 
consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the com¬ 
merce of the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come into 
question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report, from time 
to time, their opinion thereon. 

80. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Public Lands to take 
into consideration all such petitions and matters or things respecting the 
lands of the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come in 
question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opin¬ 
ion thereon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them 
shall seem expedient. 

81. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Post-Office and Post- 
Roads to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things 
touching the post-office and post-roads as shall be presented, or shall come 
in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their 
opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them 
shall seem expedient. 

82. It shall be the duty of the Committee for the District of Columbia 
to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching 
the said District as shall be presented or shall come in question, and be 
referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereon, 
together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem 
expedient. 

88 . It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Judiciary to take into 
consideration such petitions and matters or things touching judicial pro¬ 
ceedings as shall be presented or may come in question, and be referred to 
them by the House, and to report their opinion thereon, together with such 
propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 

39 


610 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


84. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims to 
take into consideration all such i)elitions and matters or things touching 
claims and demands originating in the Revolutionary war, or arising there¬ 
from, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be 
referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon, 
together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem 
expedient, 

85. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Expenditures to 
examine into the state of the several public departments, and particularly 
into laws making appropriations of money, and to report whether the 
moneys liave been disbursed conformably with such laws; and also to 
report from time to time such provisions and arrangements as may be nec¬ 
essary to add to the economy of the departments, and the accountability of 
their officers. 

86 . It shall be the duty of the Committee on Private Land Claims to 
take into consideration all claims to land which may be referred to them, 
or shall or may come in question; and to report their opinion thereupon, 
together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem 
expedient. 

87. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Military Affairs to take 
into consideration all subjects relating to the military establishment and 
public defense which may be referred to them by the House, and to report 
their opinion thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such meas¬ 
ures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said estab¬ 
lishment. 

It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Militia to take into 
consideration and report on all subjects connected with the organizing, 
arming and disciplining the militia of the United States. 

89. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Naval Affairs to take into 
consideration all matters whieh concern the naval establishment, and 
which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion 
thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such measures as may 
contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment. 

90. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to take 
into consideration all matters which concern the relations of the United 
States with foreign nations, and whieh shall be referred to them by the 
House, and to report their opinion on the same. 

91. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Territories to examine 
into tffe legislative, civil and criminal proceedings of the Territories, and 
to devise and report to the House such means as in their opinion may be 
necessary to secure the rights and privileges of residents and non-residents. 

92. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions to 
take into consideration all such matters respecting pensions for serviees 
in the Revolutionaiy war, other than invalid pensions, as shall be referred 
to them by the House. 


PA RLIAM P:NTARY KU LES. 


611 


93. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Invalid Pensions to take 
into consideration all such matters respecting invalid pensions as shall he 
reterred to them by the House. 

94. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Roads and Canals to take 
into consideration all such petitions and matters or things relating to 
loads and canals, and the improvement of the navigation of Rivers, as 
sliall be presented or may come in question, and be referred to them by 
the House, and to report thereupon, together with such proiiositions rela¬ 
tive thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 

95. It shall be the duty of the (-ommittee on Patents to consider all 
subjects relating to patents which may be referred them; and report their 
opinions thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as may 
seem to them expedient. 

90. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds to consider all subjects relating to the public editices and grounds 
within the city of Washington which may be referred to them; and report 
their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relating thereto as 
may seem to them expedient. 

97. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished 
Business to examine and report what laws have expired, or are near expir¬ 
ing, and require to be revived or further continued; also to examine and 
report, from the joui*nal of last session, all such matters as were then 
depending and undetermined. 

98. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Accounts to superintend 
and control the expenditures of the contingent fund of the House of Rep¬ 
resentatives ; also to audit and settle all accounts which may be charged 
thereon. 

99. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Mileage to ascertain and 
report the distance to the sergeant-at-arms for which each member shall 
receive pay. 

100 . There shall be referred by the clerk to the members of the Com¬ 
mittee on Printing on the part of the House, all drawings, maps, charts, or 
other papers which may at any time come before the House for engraving, 
lithographing, or publishing in anyway; which committee shall report 
to the House whether the same ought, in their opinion, to be published; 
and if the House order the publication of the same, that said committee 
shall direct the size and manner of execution of all such maps, charts, 
drawings, or other papers, and contract by agreement, in writing, for all 
such engraving, lithographing, printinu’, drawing, and coloring, as may be 
ordered by the House; which agreement, in writing, shall be furnished by 
said committee to the Committee of Accounts, to govern said committee 
in all allowances for such works, and it shall be in order for said conimiC 
tee to report at all times. 

101. It shall be in order for the Committee on Enrolled Bills and the 
Committee on Printing to report at any time. 


612 


PAKLIAMENTARY RULES. 


102. Seven additional standing committees shall be appointed at the 
commencement of the first session in each Congress, whose duties shall 
continue until the first session of tlie ensuing Congress. 

COMMITTEES, TO CONSIST OF FIVE MEMBERS EACH. 

1. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Department of State; 

2. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Treasury Department; 

3. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Department of War; 

4. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Department of the Navy; 

5. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Post Office; 

6 . A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Public Buildings; and 

7. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as 
relates to the Interior Department. 

103. It shall be the duty of the said committees to examine into the 
state of the accounts and expenditures respectively submitted to them, and 
to inquire and to report particularly— 

Whether the expenditures of the respective departments are justified by 
law; 

Whether the claims from time to time satisfied and discharged by the 
respective departments are supported by sufficient vouchers, establishing 
their justness both as to tlieir character and amount. 

Whether such claims have been discharged out of funds appropriated 
therefor, and whether all moneys have been disbursed in conformity with 
appropriation laws; and 

Whether any, and what, provisions are necessary to be adopted, to pro¬ 
vide more perfectly for the proper application of the public moneys, and 
to secure the government from demands unjust in their character or extrav¬ 
agant in their amount. 

And it shall be, moreover, the duty of the said committees to report, from 
time to time, whetlier any, and what, retrencliment can be made in the 
expenditures of the several departments, without detriment to the public 
service; whether any, and wliat, abuses at any time exist in the failure to 
enforce the payment of moneys Avliicli may be due to the United States 
from public defaulters or others; and to report, from time to time, such 
lirovisions and arrangements as may he necessary to add to the economy 
of the several departments and the accountability of their officers. 

It shall be the duty of the several committees on public expenditures to 
inquire whether any officers belonging to the branches or departments, 
respectively, concerning whose expenditures it is their duty to inquire, 
have become useless or unnecessary; and to report from time to time, on 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


613 


the expediency of modifying or abolishing the same; also to examine into 
the pay and emoluments of all officers under the laws of the United States; 
and to report from time to time such a reduction or increase thereof as a 
just economy and the public service may require. 

OF (^OMMITJ'EES OF THE WHOLE. 

104. The House may at any time, by a vote of a majority of the mem¬ 
bers present, suspend the rules and orders for the purpose of going into 
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union; and also 
for providing for the discharge of the Committee of the Whole House, and 
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, from the 
further consideration of any bill referred to it, after acting without debate 
on all amendments pending and that may be offered. 

105. In forming a Committee of the Whole House, the Speaker shall 
leave his chair, and a chairman to preside in committee shall be appointed 
by the Speaker. 

106. Whenever the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, 
or the Committee of the Whole House, finds itself without a quorum, 
the chairman shall cause the roll of the House to be called, and there¬ 
upon the committee shall rise, and the chairman shall report the names 
of the absentees to the House, which shall be entered on the journal. 

107. Upon bills committed to a Committee of the Whole House, the 
bill shall be first read throughout by the clerk, and then again read and 
debated by clauses, leaving the preamble to be last considered; the body 
of the bill shall not be defaced or interlined; but all amendments, noting 
the page and line, shall be duly entered by the clerk on a separate paper, 
as the same shall be agreed to by the committee, and so reported to the 
House. After report, the bill shall again be subject to be debated and 
amended by clauses, before a question to engross it be taken. 

108. All amendments made to an original motion in committee shall be 
incorporated with the motion, and so reported. 

109. All amendments made to a report committed to a Committee of 
the Whole House shall be noted and reported, as in the case of bills. 

110. No motion or proposition for a tax or charge upon the people shall 
be discussed the day on which it is made or ottered, and every such propo¬ 
sition shall receive its first discussion in a Committee of the 'Whole House. 

111. No sum or quantum of tax or duty, voted by a Committee of the 
Whole House, shall be increased in the House until the motion or propo¬ 
sition for such increase shall be first discussed and voted in a Committee 
of the Whole House; and so in respect to the time of its continuance. 

112. All proceedings touching appropriations of money shall be first 
discussed in a Committee of the Whole House. 

113. The rules of proceedings in the House shall be observed in a Com¬ 
mittee of the Whole House, so far as they may be applicable, except the 
rule limiting the times of speaking; but no member shall speak twice to 
any question until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken. 


614 


PA RLI AMENTA m' RULES. 


114. lu Committee of the Wliole on the State of the Union, the bills 
shall be taken up and disposed of in their order on the calendar; but when 
objection is made to the consideration of a bill, a majority of the commit¬ 
tee shall decide, without debate, whether it shall be taken up and disposed 
of, or laid aside; provided, that general appropriation bills, and, in time 
of war, bills for raising men or money, and bills concerning a treat}^ of 
peace, shall be preferred to all other bills at the discretion of the commit¬ 
tee ; and when demanded by aii}'- member, the question shall first be put in 
regard to them; and all debate on special orders shall be confined strictly 
to the measure under consideration. 

OF BILLS. 

115. Every bill shall be introduced on the report of a committee, or by 
motion for leave. In the latter case, at least one day’s notice shall be given 
of the motion in the House, or by filing a memorandum thereof with the 
clerk, and having it entered on the journal; and the motion shall be made, 
and the bill introduced, if leave is given, when resolutions are called for; 
such motion, or the bill when introduced, may be committed. 

116. Every bill shall receive three several readings in the House pre¬ 
vious to its passage; and the bills shall be dispatched in order as they 
were introduced, unless where the House shall direct otherwise; but no 
bill shall be twice read on the same day, without special order of ttie 
House. 

117. The first reading of a bill shall be for information, and if opposi¬ 
tion be made to it, the question shall be, “Shall this bill be rejected?” If 
no opposition be made, or if the question to reject be negatived, the bill 
shall go to its second reading without a question. 

118. Upon the second reading of a bill, the Speaker shall state it as 
ready for commitment or engrossment; and if committed, then a question 
shall be, whether to a select or standing committee, or to a Committee of 
the Whole House; if to a Committee of the Whole House, the House shall 
determine on what day; if no motion be made to commit, the question 
shall be stated on its engrossment; and if it be not ordered to be engrossed 
on the day of its being reported, it shall be placed on the general file on 
the Speaker’s table, to be taken up in order. ' But if the bill be ordered to 
be engrossed, the House shall appoint the day when it shall be read the 
third time. 

119. General appropriation bills shall be in order in preference to an}" 
other bill of a public nature unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the 
House. 

And the House may, at any time, by a vote of the majority of the 
members present, make any of the general appropriation bills a special 
order. 

120. No appropriation shall be reported in such general appropria¬ 
tion bills, or be in order as an amendment thereto, for any expenditure not 
previously authorized by law, unless in continuation of appropriations for 


PARLIAMENTARY RlTf^ES. 


615 


such public works and objects as are already in progress, and for the 
contingencies for carrying on the several departments of the government. 

121. Upon the engrossment of any bill making appropriations of money 
tor works of internal improvement of any kind or description, it shall be 
in the power of any member to call for a division of the question, so as to 
take a separate vote of the House upon each item of improvement or 
appropriation contained in said bill, or upon such items separately, and 
others collectively, as the members making the call may specify; and, if 
one-lifth of the members present second said call, it shall be the duty of 
the Speaker to make such divisions of the question, and put them to vote 
accordingly. 

122. The bills from the Court of Claims shall, on being laid before the 
House, be read a first and second time, committed to a Committee of the 
Whole House, and, together with the accompanying reports, printed. 

123. A motion to strike out the enacting words of a bill shall have pre¬ 
cedence of a motion to amend; and, if carried, shall be considered equiv¬ 
alent to its rejection. Whenever a bill is reported from a Committee of 
the Whole, with a recommendation to strike out the enacting words, and 
such recommendation is disagreed to by the House, the bill shall stand 
recommitted to the said committees without further action by the House. 

124. After commitment and report thereof to the House, or at any time 
before its passage, a bill may be recommitted; and should such recommit¬ 
ment take place after its engrossment, and an amendment be reported and 
agreed to by the House, the question shall be again put on the engrossment 
of the bill. 

125. All bills ordered to be engrossed shall be executed in a fair round 
hand. 

126. No amendment by way of rider shall be received to any bill on its 
third reading. 

127. Wlien a bill shall pass, it shall be certified by the clerk, noting the 
day of its passage at the foot thereof. 

LOCAL OR PRIVATE BUSINESS. 

128. Friday and Saturday of every week shall be set apart for the con¬ 
sideration of private bills and private business, in preference to any other, 
unless otherwise determined by a majority of the House. 

129. On the first and fourth Friday and Saturday of each month the 
calendar of private bills shall be called over (the chairman of the Com- 
mitee of the Whole House commencing the call where he left off the 
previous day,) and the bills to the passage of which no objection shall 
then be made shall be first considered and disposed of. But when a bill is 
again reached, after having been once objected to, the committee shall con. 
sider and dispose of the same, unless it shall again be objected to by at 
least five members. 

OF BILLS ON LEAVE AND RESOLUTIONS. 

130. All tlie States and Territories shall be called for bills on leave and 


616 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


resolutions on each alternate Monday during each session of Congress; 
and, if necessary to secure the object on said days, all resolutions which 
shall give rise to debate shall lie over for discussion, under the rules of the 
House already established; and the whole of said days shall be appropri¬ 
ated to bills on leave and resolutions, until all the States and Territories 
are called through. And the Speaker shall first call the States and Terri¬ 
tories for bills on leave; and all bills so introduced during the first hour 
after the journal is read shall be referred, without debate, to their appro¬ 
priate committees; provided, however, that a bill so introduced and 
referred shall not be brought back into the House upon a motioo to 
reconsider. 

OF PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS. 

131. Members having petitions and memorials to present, may hand 
them to the clerk, indorsing the same with their names, and the reference 
or disposition to be made thereof; and such petitions and memorials shall 
be entered on the journal, subject to the control and direction of the 
Speaker; and if any petition or memorial be so handed in, which, in the 
judgment of the Speaker, is excluded by the rules, the same shall be 
returned to the member from whom it w^as received. 

OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. 

132. The previous question shall be in this form; “Shall the main 
question be now put?” It shall only be admitted when demanded by a 
majority of the members present; and its effect shall be to put an end to 
all debate, and to bring the House to a direct vote upon a motion to commit 
if such motion shall have been made; and if this motion does not prevail, 
then upon amendments reported by a committee, if any; then upon pend¬ 
ing amendments, and then upon the main question. But its only effect, if 
a motion to postpone is pending, shall be to bring the House to a vote 
upon such motion. Whenever the House shall refuse to order the main 
question, the consideration of the subject shall be resumed as though no 
motion for the previous question had been made. The House may also, at 
any time, on motion seconded by a majority of the members present, close 
all debate upon a pending amendment, or an amendment thereto, and cause 
the question to be put thereon; and this shall not preclude any further 
amendment or debate upon the bill. A call of the House shall not be in 
order after the previous question is seconded, unless it shall appear, upon 
an actual count by the Speaker, that no quorum is present. 

133. On a previous question there shall be no debate. All incidental 
questions of order arising after a motion is made for the previous question 
and pending such motion, shall be decided, whether on appeal or other¬ 
wise, without debate. 

OF ADMISSION ON THE FLOOR. 

134. No person except members of the Senate, their secretary, heads of 
departments, the President’s private secretary, foreign ministers, the Gov- 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


617 


ernor for the time being of any State, Senators and Representatives elect, 
and Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States and of the Court 
of Claims, shall be admitted within the hall of the House of Representa¬ 
tives, or any of the rooms upon the same floor or leading into the same. 

OF REPORTERS. 

135. Stenographers and reporters, other than the oflicial reporters of 
the House, wishing to take down the debates, may be admitted by the 
Speaker to the reporters’ gallery over the Speaker’s chair, but not on the 
floor of the House; but no person shall be allowed the privilege of said 
gallery under the character of stenographer or reporter without a written 
permission of the Speaker, specifying the part of said gallery assigned to 
him; nor shall said stenographer or reporter be admitted to said gallery 
unless he shall state in writing for what paper or papers he is employed to 
report; nor shall he be so admitted, or, if admitted, be suffered to retain 
his seat, if he shall become an agent to prosecute any claim pending 
before Congress; and the Speaker shall give his written permissio n with 
this condition. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. 

136. After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent 
session of an}^ Congress, all bills, resolutions, and reports which origin¬ 
ated in the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained 
undetermined, shall be resumed and acted on in the same manner as if an 
adjournment had not taken place. And all business before committees of 
the House at the end of one session shall be resumed at the commence¬ 
ment of the next session of the same Congress as if no adjournment had 
taken place. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

137. Whenever confidential communications are received from the 
President of the United States, the House shall be cle;ii’ed of all persons, 
except the members, clerk, sergeant-at-arms, and doorkeeper, and so con¬ 
tinue during the reading of such communications, and (unless otherwise 
directed by the House) during all debates and proceedings to be had 
thereon. And when the Speaker, or any other member, shall inform the 
House that he has communications to make which he conceives ought to 
be kept secret, the House shall, in like manner, be cleared till the commu¬ 
nication be made; the House shall then determine whether the matter 
communicated requires secrecy or not, and take order accordingly. 

138. The rule for paying witnesses summoned to appear before this 
House, or either of its committees, shall be as follows: for each day a wit¬ 
ness shall attend, the sum of two dollars; for each mile he shall travel in 
coming to or going from the place of examination, the sum of ten cents 
each way; but nothing shall be paid for traveling home when the witness 
has been summoned at the place of trial 


618 


PARLIAMENTAKY RPPES. 


139. Maps accompanying documents sliall not be printed, under the 
general order to print, without tlie special direction of the House. 

140. No extra compensation shall be allowed to any officer or messen¬ 
ger, page, laborer, or other person in the service of the House, or engaged 
in or about the public grounds or buildings; and no person shall be an 
officer of the House, or continue in its employment, who shall be an agent 
for the prosecution of any claim against the government, or be interested 
in such claim otherwise than an original claimant; and it shall be the 
duty of the Committee of Accounts to inquire into and report to the House 
any violation of this rule. 

141. When the reading of a paper is called for, and the same is objected 
to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the House. 

142. When a question is postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be 
acted upon again during the session. 

143. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the 
Senate shall be necessary, shall be read to the House, and laid on the 
table, on a day preceding that in which the same shall he moved, unless 
the House shall otherwise expressly allow. 

144. The rules of parliamentary practice, comprised in Jefferson’s 
Manual, shall govern the House in all cases to which they are applicable, 
and in which they are not inconsistent with the standing rules and orders 
of the House, and joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives. 

145. No standing rule or order of the House shall be rescinded or 
changed without one day’s notice being given of the motion therefor; nor 
shall any rule be suspended, except by a vote of at least two-thirds of the 
members present; nor shall the order of business, as established by the 
rules, be postponed or changed, except by a vote of at least two-thirds of 
the members present; nor shall the Speaker entertain amotion to suspend 
the rules, except during the last ten days of the session, and on Monda}" 
of every week at the expiration of an hour after the journal is read, unless 
the call of the States and Territories for bills on leave and resolutions has 
been earlier concluded, when the Speaker may entertain a motion to sus¬ 
pend the rules. 

146. All election of officers of the House, including the Speaker, shall 
be conducted in accordance with these rules, so far as the same are appli¬ 
cable; and pending the election of a Speaker, the clerk shall preserve 
order and decorum, and shall decide all questions of order that may arise, 
subject to appeal to the House. 

147. These rules shall be the rules of the House of Representatives of 
the present and succeeding Congresses unless otherwise ordered. 

148. An additional standing committee shall be appointed at the com¬ 
mencement of each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first 
session of the ensuing Congress, to consist of five members, to be entitled a 
“Committee on a Uniforn System of Coinage, Weights, and Measures;” 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES. 


r)i9 

and to this committee sliaii be referred all bills, resohitions, and communi- 
cations to the House upon that sui)ject. 

149. The names of members not voting on any call of the aves and noes 
shall be recorded in the journal immediately after those voting in the 
affirmative and negative, and the same record shall be made in the Con¬ 
gressional Globe. 

150. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Pacific Railroad to 
take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things relative to 
railroads or telegraph lines between the Mississippi valley and the Pacific 
coast, as shall be presented or shall come in question, and be referred to 
them by the House, and to report their opinion thereon, together with such 
propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 

151. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Ways and Means to take 
into consideration all reports of the Treasury Department, and such other 
propositions relative to raising revenue and providing ways and means for 
the support of the government as shall be presented or shall come in ques¬ 
tion, and be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion 
thereon by bill or otherwise, as to them shall seem expedient; and said 
committee shall have leave to report for commitment at any time. 

152. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Banking and Bank Cur¬ 
rency to take into consideration all propositions relative to banking and 
the currency as shall be })resented or shall come in question, and be 
referred to them by the House, and to report thereon by bill or otherwise. 

158. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Mines and Mining to con¬ 
sider all subjects relating to mines and mining that may be referred to 
them, and to report their opinion thereon, together with such propositi()ns 
relative thereto as may seem to them expedient. 

154. The allowance of stationery to each member and delegate shall be 
of the value of seventy-five dollars for a long session, and forty-five dollars 
for a short session of Congress. 

155. The hall of the House shall not be used for any other purpose than 
the legitimate business of the House, nor shall the Speaker entertain anj^ 
proposition to use it for any other purpose, or for the suspension of this 
rule: Provided, That this shall not interfere with the performance of 
divine service therein, under the direction of the Speaker, or with the use 
of the same for caucus meetings of the members, or upon occasions where 
the House may, by resolution, agree to take part in any ceremonies to be 
observed therein. 

156. There shall be appointed at the commencement of each Congress 
a standing Committee on Freedmen’s Affairs, to consist of nine members, 
whose duty it shall be to take charge of all matters concerning freedmen, 
'which shall be referred to them by the House. 

157. When an act has been approved by the President, the usual num¬ 
ber of copies shall be printed for the use of the House. 

158. Messages from the Senate and the President of the United States, 


620 


STATISTICS OF THE WORLD 


giviuo; uotice of bills passed or a))proved, shall be repoiled forthwith from 
the clerk’s desk. 

159. Estimates of appropriations, and all other communications from 
the executive departments, intended for the consideration of any of the 
committees of the House, shall be addressed to the Speaker and by him 
submitted to the House for reference. 

160. There shall be appointed at each Congress a Committee on Educa¬ 
tion and Labor, to consist of nine members, to whom shall be referred all 
petitions, bills, reports, and resolutions on those subjects, and who shall 
from time to time report thereon. 


CHAPTEK XXXI. 

THE STATISTICS OF THE WORLD. 


Country. 

Population. 

[square miles. 

Title of Ruler 

NORTH AMERICA. 




Arctic Region... 


600,000 


Bermuda L. 

12,(XX) 

46 

Governor.. 

Columbia (Brit.). 

54,600 

230,000 

Governor.. 

Costa Rica. 

150,000 

16,250 

President-- 

Greenland.. 

10,000 

380,0tX) 

Inspector-- 

Guatemala.... 

1,180,000 

44.778 

President-. 

Honduras... 

500,000 

47,092 

President.. 

Honduras (Brit.).. 

25,635 

13,500 

Lt. Gov_ 

Mexico.-__ 

8,743,614 

773,144 

President.. 

Mosquito.-. 

16,000 

26,000 

King_ 

New Britain. 

200,000 

1,800,000 


New Brunswick.. 

285,777 

' 27^720 

Lt. Gov_ 

Newfoundland. 

146,536 

40,200 

Governor.. 

Nicaragua. 

400,000 

58,169 

President.. 

Nova S^cotia... 

387,800 

19,650 

Lt. Gov_ 

Ontario.. 

1,620,842 

180,000 

Lt. Gov_ 

Prince Edward Island. 

93,338 

2,173 

Lt. Gov_ 

Quebec. 

1,190,505 

210,000 

Lt. Gov_ 

San Salvador. 

750,000 

7,2.30 

President.. 

St. Pierre_ 

2,250 

120 

Com - 

United States. 

40,000,(X)0 

3,578,392 

President.. 

SOUTH AMERICA. 




Argentine Confederacy. 

1,800,000 

826,828 

President.. 


1,987,352 

535,760 

President.. 

Brazil. 

11,780,000 

3,231,047 

Emperor... 

Cayenne. 

27,560 

30,000 

Governor.. 

Chili. 

2,084,945 

139,335 

President.. 

Colombia. 

2,794,470 

357,179 

President.. 

Demarara. etc. 

148,900 

76,000 

Governor .. 

Ecuador. 

1,040,371 

218,984 

President.. 

Falkland Islands. 

686 

7,600 

Governor.. 

Paraguajr... 

1,337,431 

126,352 

President.. 

Patagonia. 

120,000 

315,000 


Peru"!!. 

3,374,000 

510,107 

President.. 

Surinam... 

64,270 

38,500 

Governor.. 

Uruguay. 

387,421 

66,716 

President.. 

Venezuela... 

1,565,000 

426,712 

President.. 

WEST INDIA ISLANDS. 




Antigua. 

36,412 

183 

Governor.. 

Bahamas . 

35,287 

3,021 

Governor.. 


Capital. 


None. 

Hamilton. 

‘N. Westminster. 

San Jose. 

Lichtenfels. 

Guatemala. 

Comayagua. 

Belize. 

Mexico. 

Blewfields. 

York Factory. 
Fredericton. 

St. John’s. 

Managua. 

Halifax. 

Toronto. 

Charlottetown. 

Quebec. 

San Salvador. 

St. Pierre. 
Washington. 


Buenos Ayres. 
Chuqueaca. 

Rio Janeiro. 

Cayenne. 

Santiago. 

S. Fe ^ Bogota. 

Georgetown. 

Quito. 

Port Louis. 
Asuncion. 

None. 

Lima. 

Parimaraiho. 
Monte Video. 
Cai'acas. 


St. John’s. 
Nassau. 

































































STATTSTICft OF THE WORLD, 


621 


Country. 


Barbadoes.. 

Burmudas. 

Curacoa. 

Cuba. 

Dominica. 

Grenada. 

Guadaloupe, etc. 

Hayti. 

Jamaica . 

Martinique.] 

Montserrat. 

Nevis..... 

Porto Rico. 

St. Bartholomew'’8. 

St. Christopher, etc. 

St. John’s... 

St. Lucia. 

St. Martin’s (S.). 

St. Thomas... 

St. Vincent... 

San Domingo. 

Santa Cruz, etc.. 

Tobago. 

Trinidad. 

Turk’s Island. 

Virgin Islands. 

EUROPE. 

Andorra. 

Austria. 

Belgium. 

Denmark. 

Faroe and Iceland. 

France . 

Germany... 

Northern Confederation. 

Anhalt. 

Bremen. 

Brunswick... 

Hamburg.. 

Hesse Darmstadt (N.). 

Lippe Detmold. 

Lippe Schaumburg. 

Lubeck . 

Mecklenburg Schwerin.... 

Mecklenburg Strelitz. 

Oldenburg. 

Prussia. 

Reuse Greiz. 

Reuss Schleiz. 

Saxe Altenburg. 

Saxe Coburg Gotha. 

Saxe Meiningen__ 

Saxe Weimar__ 

Saxony... 

Schwarzb. Rudolstadt. 

Swarzb. Sondershausen... 
Waldeck... 

Southern Confederation. 

Baden.. 

Bavaria..... 

Hesse Darmstadt (S.). 

Lichtenstein .. 

Wurtemberg.-. 

Great Britain. 

Gibraltar. 

Heligoland... 

Malta. 

Greece . 


Population. 

Square miles 

152,127 

166 

11,796 


30,000 

580 

1,500,000 

43,383 

26,882 

290 

36,672 

133 

134,544 

5:14 

572,000 

11,718 

441,255 

6,400 

121,145 

322 

7,645 

47 

9,822 

50 

620,000 

3,895 

10,000 

25 

26.940 

103 

3,000 

72 

29,.519 

250 

3,500 

11 

13,463 

37 

31,755 

i:ii 

136,500 

18,000 

35,000 

81 

15,410 

97 

84,438 

1,754 

4,.372 

450 

6,051 

5? 

12,000 

149 

35,677,455 

240,:181 

4,984,451 

11,373 

1,608,362 

14.7:14 

75,909 

40,2.58 

;18,192,064 

209,428 

197,041 

1,026 

109,572 

74 

:102,792 

1,425 

305,196 

156 

257,479 

1,280 

111,352 

438 

31,186 

171 

48,538 

107 

560,618 

5,190 

98,770 

1,052 

315,622 

2,469 

24,039,668 

136,806 

43,889 

145 

88,097 

:120 

141,426 

.510 

168,851 

760 

180,335 

956 

282,928 

1,404 

2,42:1,401 

5,779 

75,116 

374 

67,533 

3:12 

56,807 

433 

1,4:14.970 

5,912 

4,824,421 

29,373 

.565,659 

1.690 

8,:120 

62 

1,77H.:196 

7,532 

:ll,817.108 ‘ 

120.769 

24,175 

2 

2 ,:ioo 


143,003 

115 

1,096,810 

18.:147 


Title of Ruler 

Capital. 

Governor.. 

Bridgetown. 

Governor.. 

Hamilton. 


Williamstadt. 

Capt. Gen. 

Havana. 

Lt. Gov_ 

Rosseau. 

Lt. Gov_ 

St. George. 


Basse Terre. 

President.. 

Port an Prince. 

Capt. Gen. 

Spanish Town. 


Port Royal. 

President-. 

PlS^mouth. 

Adminis... 

Charlestown. 

Capt. Gen. 

San Juan. 


Gustavia. 

Lt. Gov_ 

Basse Terre. 

Adminis... 

Castries. 

Lt. Gov_ 

Kingston. 

President.. 

San Domingo. 


Christianstadt. 

Lt. Gov_ 

Scarboro. 

Governor .. 

Port Espana. 

President.. 

Grand Turk. 

President.. 

Road Town. 

Rep. 

Andorra. 

Emi)eror... 

Vienna. 

King. 

Brussels. 

King. 

Copenhagen. 

President.. 

Paris. 

Duke. 

Dessau. 

Burgom.... 

Bremen. 

Duke. 

Brunswick. 

Burgom_ 

Hamburg. 

G. Duke_ 

Darmstadt. 

Prince. 

Detmold. 

Prince. 

Buckburg. 

Burgom_ 

Lubeck. 

G. Dulv(i_ 

Schwerin. 

G. Duke_ 

New Strelitz. 

G. Duke_ 

Oldenburg. 

King. 

Berlin. 

Prince. 

Greiz. 

Prince. 

Schleiz. 

Duke. 

Altenburg. 

Duke. 

Coburg. 

Duke. 

Meiningen. 

G.Duke.... 

W eimar. 

King. 

Dresden. 

Prince. 

Rudolstadt. 

Prince. 

Sonderhausen, 

Prince. 

Corbach. 

G.Duke_ 

Carlsruhe. 

King. 

Munich. 

G.Duke.... 

Darmstadt. 

Prince. 

Lichtenstein. 

King. 

Stuttgardt. 

Queen . 

London. 

Governor .. 

Gibraltar. 

Governor .. 1 Heligoland. 

Governor.. j 

Malta. 

King.' 

Athens. 

















































































































622 


STATISTICS OF THE WORLD. 


Countries. 


Ionian Islands. 

Italy. 

Monaco. 

Netlierlands.. 

Luxemburg. 

Portugal. 

Azores and Madeira 

Russia___ 

San Marino.. 

Si)ain.... 

Sweden.. 

Norway.. 

Switzerland. 

Turkey . 

Montenegro.. 

Roumania__ 

Servia.. 

ASIA. 

Anam (C. China). 

Arabia.. 

Borneo . 

British India.. 

Burmah .. 

Ceylon ... 

China.. 

Japan.. 

Java... 

Persia... 

Siam.. 

Tartary.. 

Turkey in Asia.. 

AFRICA. 

Abyssinia.. 

Algeria .... 

Cape of Good Hope... 

Egypt.. 

Gambia.. 

Gold Coast.. 

Lagos.... 

Liberia . 

Madagascar.. . 

Morocco.. 

Natal. 

Sierra Leone. 

St. Helena. 

Tripoli... 

Tunis... 

Zanzibar. 

AUSTRALIA. 

New South Wales. 

Queensland. 

South Australia. 

Tasmania. 

Victoria. 

Western Australia. 

POLYNESIA. 

P'eejee Islands. 

New Guinea.. 

New Zealand. 

Philippine Islands.... 

Sandwich Islands. 

Society Islands_ 


Population. 

Square miles. 

251,712 

1,006 

25,765,217 

114,;189 

1,887 

15 

3,652,070 

12,685 

199,958 

991 

3,829,618 

:36,494 

363,658 

1,483 

78,400,000 

7,862,568 

5,770 

22 

16,302,625 

19.5,607 

4,158,757 

128,776 

1,712,628 

120,295 

2.510,494 

1.5,722 

10,510,000 

1:31.295 

196,2:18 

1,709 

3,864,848 

46,710 

1,078,281 

21,218 

9,000,000 

198,043 

4,000,000 

1,026,040 

:300,000 

25,000,(XK) 

192,012,i;i7 

l,.545,:3:36 

4,000,000 

190,517 

2,081,395 

24,454 

477,500,000 

4,695,:3.34 

:I5,000,000 

149,.399 

14,168,416 

• 51,:3:36 

11,000,0)0 

562,.344 

6,298,990 

:309.024 

7,870,000 

640,516 

16,463,000 

660,870 

3,000,000 

148,:392 

2,921,846 

2.59,313 

566,158 

2(X),610 

7,465,000 

659,081 

6,939 

21 

262,000 

110,000 

6,000 

717,500 

9,567 

5,000,000 

2:32,:315 

2,750,000 

672,:300 

193,103 

16,1.50 

41,497 

468 

6,444 

47 

7.50,000 

61,760 

2,000,000 

380,000 

50,000 

1,600 

447,620 

32 : 3 , 4:37 

109,897 

678,600 

176,298 

:383.:328 

98,455 

26,215 

703,817 

86,831 

21,065 

978,000 

2(K),(K)0 

8 , 0:33 

1,000,(K)0 

275,.518 

220,092 

106,261 

2,2.50,000 

56,(X)0 

i62,959 

7 , 6:33 

15,000 

700 


ritle of Ruler 

Capital. 

King. 

Prince. 

Rome. 

King. 

Hague. 

King... 

Lisbon. 

Czar. 

St. Petersburgh. 

Repub . 

San Marino. 

Repub_ 

Madrid. 

King. 

Stockholm. 

President.. 

Berne. 

Sultan. 

Constantinople. 

Prince. 

Cettinge. 

Prince. 

Bucharest. 

Prince. 

Belgrade. 

Emperor... 

Hue. 

Muscat. 

Gov. Gen.. 

Calcutta. 

Comm. 

Ava. 

Governor .. 

Colombo. 

Emperor... 

Pekin. 

Mikado_ 

Yeddo. 

Gov. Gen.. 

Batavia. 

Schah. 

Teheran. 

King. 

Bangkok. 

Bokhara. 

Emperor... 

Gondar. 

Gov. Gen.. 

.41gier8. 

Governor.. 

Cape Town. 

Viceroy_ 

Cairo. 

Adminis_ 

Bathurst. 

Adminis... 

Cape C’st Castle. 
Lagos. 

President.. 

Monrovia. 

Queen_ 

Antinarivo. 

Sultan. 

Fez. 

Lt. Gov_ 

Port Natal. 

Governor .. 

Freetown. 

Governor .. 

James Town. 

Bey.. 

Tripoli. 

Bev. 

Tunis. 

Sultan_ 

Zanzibar. 

Governor .. 

Sydnev. 

Capt. Gen.. 

Port Denison. 

Governor .. 

Adelaide. 

Governor .. 

Hobart Town. 

Capt. Gen.. 
Governor .. 

Melbourne. 

King. 


Governor .. 

Auckland. 

Manilla. 

King. 

Honolulu. 

Queen. 

Tahiti. 






































































































CREEDS OF THE WORLD. 


623 


STATISTICS OF '11 IK 


racp:. 


The earth is inhabited by about 1,380,000,000of inhabitants, namely: 

:i80,000,t)00 of the Caucasian race, 200,000,000 of the Ethiopian, 

.580,0ai,tKX) of the Mongolian, 220,000,000 of the Malay racLs, and 

1,000,(K)0 of the American Indian. 

All these respectively speak 3064 languages, and possess 1,000 different religions. 

The amount of deaths per annum is 3:1,3:13,333, or 91,954 per day, :ir30 per hour, 60 per 
minute, or one per second. This loss is compensated by an equal number of births. 

The average duration of life throughout the globe is thirty-three years. One-fourth of 
Its population dies before the seventh year, and one-half before the seventeenth. Out of 
10,000 persons only one reaches his hundredth year; only one in 500 his eightieth; and 
only one in 100 his sixty-fifth. 

Married people live longer than unmarried ones, and a tall man is likely to live longer 
than a short one. Until the fiftieth year women have a better chance of life than men; 
but beyond that period the chances ai'e equal. 

Sixty-five persons out of one thousand marry. The months of June and December are 
those in which marriages are most frequent. 

Children born in spring are generally stronger than those born in other seasons. 

Births and deaths chiefly occur at night. 

The number of men able to bear arms is but one-eighth of the population. 

AFKICANS IN AMKBICA. 

It is estimated that there are some 14,.580,0(H) persons of African descent on this conti¬ 
nent. In the United States they number 4,880,0(X); Brazil 4,20(),(KX); Cuba and Porto Rico 
1,5(X),000; South and Central American Rupublics 1,1(H),()(M); Ilayti 1,:130,0(X); British Pos¬ 
sessions 800,000; French, 250,000; Dutch and Mexican 4(X),0CK). 

CREEDS OF THE WORLD. 

The population of the world is religiously distributed very nearly in the following 
proportions: 

Christians.:i88,600,000 Pagans. 200,000,000 

Buddhists. 360,000,000 Mohammedans. 165,000,000 

Other Asiatic religions.-- 260,000,000 Jews.. 7,000,0(K) 

In Europe, America, Australia, and many of the Polynesian Islands, Christianity 
the prevailing creed of every State. In Africa the only independent Christian States are 
Abyssinia and Liberia, while Christianity prevails in several European colonies. The 
largest empire of Asia—Russia—is also a Christian country. India, the third country in 
point of extent, is under the rule of a Christian government, and so is a large portion of 
Farther India. 

The Mohammedan countries in Asia are Turkey, Persia, Affghanistan, and the Khan¬ 
ates of Central Asia; in Africa — Morocco, the dependencies of Turkey (Egypt, Tunis, 
Tripoli) and a number of interior States. 

Buddhism prevails in India, Farther India, in many parts of China, and in Japan. The 
governments of Burmah and Siam are Buddhist; the government of China adheres to the 
religion of Confucius; the religion of Japan is Sintooism. 

Judaism is represented throughout the civilized w'orld. The llandbuch dev Vergleich- 
enden Statistik of G. Von Kolb (Leipzig, 1868) gives the following as the number of Jews 
in the countries named : Germany, 47'8,5(X); Austria, 1,124,000 ; Great Britain, 40,000 ; 
France, 80,000 ; European Russia, 2,277,000 ; Italy, 20,200 ; Switzerland, 4,200 ; Belgium 
1,500; Netherlands, 64,000; Luxemburg, 1,.500 ; Denmark, 4,200 ; Sweden, 1,0(X); Greece, 
500; European Turkey, 70,0(K). The Jews in Portugal are estimated at :i,0(K); in Syria and 
Asiatic Turkey, 52,000 ; in Morocco and North Africa, 610,000 ; in Eastern Asia, 500,8(X); 
in America, 500,(X10. 







PART FOURTH. 


I.EGAL FACTS AND FORMS, 

By JUDGE J. C. POWER, OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA. 


CHAPTER I. 

LEGAAL EOEMS. 


FORM OF WILL. 


In the name of God, Amen. 

I, (give name of testator) of (residence), being of sound 
mind and memory, do liereby make, publish, and declare this 
to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making 
void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made. 

First —I order and direct my Executors, as soon after my 
decease as practicable, to pay off and discharge all the debts, 
dues, and liabilities that may exist against me at the time of 
my decease. 

Second —I give and becpieath unto my wife (name). (Here 
state property bequeathed.) 

Third —I give and bequeath unto my son (name). (Here 
state property bequeathed.) 

Same form for each legacy. 

Fourth —I hereby nominate and appoint. (Here give name 
of person or persons selected as Executors.) 

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto subscribed nn^ name 
this-day of-A. D. 

--N ame. 


The above and foregoing instrument was at the date thereof 
(624) 







LEGAL FORMS. 


625 


signed, sealed, published, and declared, by the said (name of 
testator), as and for his last Will and Testament, in presence 
of us, who, at his request, and in his presence, and in the 
presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses. 

Name.-- -Residence. 

N ame.--Residence. 

Note .—Must be signed by the testator before acknowledged 
by him to be his will—and must be signed by testator in pres¬ 
ence of witnesses — or acknowledged by him in presence of 
witnesses. Two witnesses are necessary. 


ARTICLES OP CO-PARTNERSHIP. 

This agreement, made and entered into this-day 

of-, 187—, by and between- 

of-, and-, of- 

Witnesseth : that the said parties hereby agree to become 

partners in the business of-at-, 

for the term of-^years from the date hereof, under the 

firm name of-. 

Said parties have each contributed the sum of- 

dollars as the capital stock of said firm. 

Both parties are to devote their entire time and skill for the 
common benefit. 

All expenses of the business and all losses are to be borne in 
common, and the profits are to be equally divided. 

Books of account are to be kept, in which shall be entered 
all money received or paid, all purchases and sales of goods, 
and all matters of account relating to the business of the firm, 
which shall at all times be accessible to both. 

No money or other property shall be withdrawn by either 
partner, or applied to his own use, except with the written 
consent of the other partner; and in every such case the same 
shall be charged, and his share of the profits shall be reduced 
in proportion to the amount withdrawn. 

40 

















626 


LEGAL FORMS. 


Once in each year a correct account shall be taken and stated 
on the ledger of all stock property and assets of the firm, and 
of all debts and liabilities. 

At the close of the partnership a like account shall be taken 
and stated, and the stock and property, and the debts, shall be 
equally divided after payment of the liabilities of the firm. 

ISTo debt or claim of the firm shall be released or settled with¬ 
out payment in full, unless by consent of both partners. 

ISTeither partner shall have power to bind the firm as surety 
in any case; and neither partner shall become surety for another 
without the written consent of the other partner. 

Witness our hands and seals this the day and date above 
written. 

IN’ ame- [seal.] 

N am e- [seal.] 


AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE A CO-PARTNERSHIP. 

As the partnership existing between the undersigned will 

expire on the-day of-, 187—, it is hereby 

agreed that said co-partnership shall continue upon the same 
terms and conditions as provided in the original articles of 

co-partnership for the further term of-from the 

date of the expiration of said co-partnership as fixed by the 
said articles. 

Witness our hands (as in articles, giving date). 


AGREEMENT for DISSOLUTION of CO-PARTNERSHIP. 

The undersigned hereby agree that the co-partnership exist¬ 
ing between them, as is witnessed by the Articles of Co-part¬ 
nership signed by us, be, and the same is hereby, dissolved, 
except for the purpose of final settlement of the business 

thereof, which may be settled by-. And upon such 

settlement, then said co-partnership shall be wholly dissolved. 

Witness, etc. (as above). 










LEGAL FORMS. 


627 


POWER OP ATTORNEY. 

Know all men hy these presents, that I- 

-j hereby make, constitute, and appoint- 

~j niy true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in 
my name, place, and stead, to (here state duty of Attorney) 
granting unto my said Attorney full power and authority to do 
and perform each and every thing necessary and proper to be 
done in the performance of his duty, as fully as I might or 
could do it personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all the lawful acts of my said Attorney, done under and by 
virtue hereof. 

Witness my hand and seal this-day of- 

A. D. 187—. 

Kame- [seal.] 

Note .—To be signed and acknowledged as a deed for the 
conveyance of real estate 


FORM OP SUBMISSION TO ARBITRATION. 

Know all men by these presents, that whereas a controversy 
is now existing between (name), of (residence), and (name), 
of (residence), touching (here state nature of controversy); 

Kow, therefore, we, the said (here give names of parties), do 
hereby submit said controversy to the decision and arbitration 
of (here give names of three persons selected as arbitrators), 
of (here state residences), and do covenant each with the other 
that we will faithfully keep and abide by the decision and award 
that they, or any two of them, may make in writing—said 
award to be made and signed on or before (here give date). 

And it is agreed by the parties hereto, that the party that 
shall fail to abide by and observe said award, made in accord¬ 
ance with the foregoing submission, shall forfeit and pay to 
the other the sum of (here insert amount). 

Witness our hands this-day of-A. D.-. 

——-K ame. 

-Kame. 















628 


LEGAL FORMS. 


AWARD OF ARBITRATORS. 

The undersigned to whose arbitration was submitted the 
matters in controversy between (here give names of parties) as 
more fully appears by their written submission hereto attached, 

Report that on the day of-A. D. 18—, after having 

been duly sworn according to law, and having given both 

parties-day’s notice in writing of the time and place of 

our meeting to consider said matter, we proceeded to the dis¬ 
charge of our duty; said (name of party) appearing in person 
(if by Att’y also so state,) and said (name of party) appearing 
in person (if by Att’y also so state.) And having heard the 
allegations and proofs of said parties, and the witnesses intro¬ 
duced by them, and having examined the matter in contro¬ 
versy submitted by them, do make and declare this as and for 
our award. 

Here state findings of Arbitrators. 

Witness our hands this-day of-A. I).-. 

-Name. 

• -Name. 

-Name. 


GENERAL FORM FOR AGREEMENT. 

This Agreement made this-day of-187—, 

by and between-of-and- 

of-. Witnesseth: That the said-for 

the consideration of (here state nature of consideration) to be 
(if money paid,) (if work or labor or delivery of property) to 
be performed or delivered as hereafter provided, hereby agrees 
that (state agreement of this party fully.) 

And for the consideration above mentioned the said-- 

hereby agrees, that (state agreement of this party fully.) 

In witness whereof, we hereto subscribe our names and aflix 
our seal this day and date first above written. 

Name -[seal.] ) 

Name -^-[seal.] 

























LEGAL FORMS. 


629 


AGREEMENT FOR SALE OP PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

This Agreement, made this-day of_187— 

between-of-and-of_. 

Witnesseth: That the said-in consideration of the 

agreements on the part of-hereafter named, agrees 

to and with the said—-that on or before the- 

day of-, 187—, he will deliver to the said- 

at (state place of delivery,) the following property (state kind 
of property). 

And the said-in consideration of the aforesaid 

agreements and promises on the part of the said-, 

hereby promises and agrees to and with the said-, 

that he will pay to him (state price to be paid) said payments 
to be made as follows (state how and when.) 

In witness whereof, we hereto subscribe our names and affix 
our seals this the day and year first above written. 

_ Name- [seal.] 

N ame- [seal.] 


AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OP REAL ESTATE. 

This Agreement, made this-day of-187—, 

by and between-of-and-of 

-. Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of 

the sum of-dollars, to be paid by the said- 

to the said-as follows (state manner of payment), the 

fiaid-hereby promises and agrees to convey by (state 

nature of conveyance, whether warranty or quit claim), the 

following described real estate situate in-county. State 

of-. (Give description of land.) And the said- 

hereby promises to pay said-the sum of- 

dollars as above provided. 

And upon the payment in full of said amount, then said 
•conveyance is to be executed and delivered. 

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names and 
affix our seals this the day and date above written. 

Name- [seal.] 

Name- [seal.] 





































630 


LEGAL FORMS. 


Note ,—To be executed and acknowledged as a deed for real 
estate. 


FORM OF LEASE. 

Agreement of Lease, made this-day of-, 

between-of, and-of-, Wit- 

nesseth: That the said-agrees to pay to-, 

-dollars per-for the rent of the house and prem¬ 
ises on (description of land.) 

The said-agrees to use said premises for no other 

purpose than-, and not underlet the same without the 

written consent of-. This lease to commence on the 

-day of-187—, and continue until the- 

day of-187—. The rent to be paid {state how) to the 

said-at-. A failure to pay the rent as 

agreed, or to comply with any of the stipulations of their 
lease by-, shall authorize the said-to con¬ 

sider the same forfeited; and he may take possession of the 
premises without notice and without process of law, or he may 
bring his action as allowed by law to recover possession. 

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names and 
affix our seals this the day and date first above written. 

N ame- [seal.] 

N ame- [seal.] 


FORM OF DEED. 

This Deed, made this-day of-187—. Wit- 

nessethi That for the consideration of-dollars, we 

-of-county. State of-, hereby 

sell and convey unto-of-county. State of 

? tlio following described real estate, situate in 
county. State of Iowa. (Here give a description of 
the land) together with all the estate, title, and interest, dower, 
and right of dower of the said grantors, or either of them. 

And we hereby warrant the title to said premises against all 
persons whomsoever (or if quit claim say), and we hereby quit 
ckim all our right, title and interest in and to said premises to 
the grantees herein. 




































LEGAL FORMS. 


631 


Witness our hands and seals this the day and date above 
written. 

N aine- [seal.] 

N ame- [seal.] 

The State of-) 

-County. f 

Be it Kemembered, That on this-day of- 

187—, before me a-within and for said county and 

State, personally appeared-, who personally known 

to me to be the identical person whose name-affixed to the 

foregoing deed as grantor, and she acknowledged the same 

to be her voluntary act and deed, and the said-, having 

been made acquainted with the contents hereof, and the nature 
of the above instrument having been fully explained to her, 
and having been examined by me separate and apart from her 
husband, acknowledged that she signed and executed the said 
deed freely and voluntarily, and without compulsion, and that 
she does not desire to retract the same. 

In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand and-seal 

this the day and date last above written. 

Name_ [seal.] 

Note .—It is better in all cases to have two witnesses to the 
signatures, as the fact that such signatures are witnessed will 
never invalidate the conveyance; and in some States the 
instrument is void without such witnesses. 


MORTGAGE DEED. 

This Deed, made this-day of-, 187—, Wit- 

nesseth: That for the consideration of-dollars, we 

-of-county. State of-, hereby 

sell and convey unto-of—— -—all the lollowing 

described real estate, situate in-county. State of 

-to-wit: (Here describe real estate.) 

And we hereby warrant the title to said premises against all 
persons whomsoever. 

This deed to be void, however, on condition-pay. (State 

nature of indebtedness, time and manner of payment.) 

























632 


LEGAL FORMS. 


(If homestead say), and the property conveyed being our 
homestead, we hereby expressly waive all benefit of the home¬ 
stead and exemption laws, and consent that said property shall 
be liable for the payment of said indebtedness. Otherwise of 
force and virtue. 

Witness our hands and seals this the day and date above 
written. 

Name_ [seal.] 

N ame- [seal.] 


NEGOTIABLE NOTE. 

$200 Chicago, Ill., May 1st, 1873. 

One year after date, I promise to pay to the order of Felix 
Welty, two hundred dollars, with ten per cent, interest from 
date, for value received. Name- 


NON-NEGOTIABLB NOTE. 

$200 Chicago, Ill., May 1st., 1873. 

One year after date, I promise to pay Felix Welty, two hun¬ 
dred dollars, with ten per cent, interest from date, for value 
received. Name_ 


NOTE TBANSPERABLE BY DELIVERY. 

$200 Chicago, May 1st, 1873. 

One year after date, I promise to pay Felix Welty or bearer, 
two hundred dollars, with ten per cent, interest from date, for 
value received. 

Note .—If joint note say “ we.” If joint and several say 
‘‘we or either of us.” 

Name _ 


DUE BILL. 

Due Felix Welty, two hundred dollars, value received. 

May 1st, 1873. Name_ 

RECEIPT. 

Chicago, Ill., May 1st, 1873. 

Received of Willis Moran one hundred dollars, in full of all 












.LEGAL FACTS. 


633 


claims or demands, of each and every kind held by me against 
him. Name_ 

Note .—If in satisfaction or payment of any particular claim, 
so state 


CHAPTEK II. 

E^CTS. 


IOWA. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF INTESTATE PROPERTY. 

One-third in value of all the legal or equitable estate in real 
property, possessed by the husband at any time during the 
marriage, which has not been sold on execution or any other 
judicial sale, and to which the wife has made no relinquishment 
of her right, is set apart as her property in fee-simple, if she 
survive him. 

The same share of the real estate of a deceased wife is set 
apart to the surviving husband. 

The widow’s share cannot be affected by any will of her hus¬ 
band, unless she consents thereto within six months after notice 
to her of the provision of the will. 

Subject to the widow’s dower, the estate of a decedent 
descends in equal shares to his children. 

If one of the children be dead, the heirs of such child inherit 
its share. 

If the intestate leave no children, one half of his estate goes 
to his parents, and the other half to his wife. If he leaves no 
wife, the portion \ 7 hich would have gone to her goes to his 
parents. 

If one of his parents be dead, the portion which would have 
gone to such deceased parent goes to the surviving parent, 
including the portion whicli would have belonged to the intes¬ 
tate’s wife had she been living. 





634 


LEGAL FACTS-IOWA. 


If both parents be dead, the portion which would have fallen 
to their share by the above rules is disposed of in the same 
manner as if they had outlived the intestate and died in the 
possession and ownership of the portion falling to their share, 
and so on through ascending ancestors and their issue. 

The personal property, after the payment of debts, is dis¬ 
tributed to the same persons and in the same proportions as 
though it was real estate. 

rnOPEE'TY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION TO THE HEAD OF A FAMILY 
IN IOWA. 

All wearing apparel of himself and family, kept for actual 
use, and the trunks necessary to contain the same; one musket 
or rifle and shot gun; all private libraries, family bibles, por¬ 
traits, pictures, musical instruments, and paintings, not kept for 
the purpose of sale; a seat or pew occupied by the debtor or 
his family in any house of public worship; an interest in a 
public or private burying ground, not exceeding one acre for 
any defendant; two cows and calf; one horse, unless a horse 
is exempt as hereinafter provided; fifty sheep and the wool 
thereon; six stands of bees; five hogs and all pigs under six 
months old; the necessary food for all animals exempt from exe¬ 
cution, for six months; all flax raised by the defendant on not 
exceeding one acre of ground, and the manufactures therefrom; 
one bedstead and the necessary bedding for every two in 
family; all cloth manufactured by the defendant, not exceeding 
one hundred yards in quantity; household and kitchen furni¬ 
ture, not exceeding two hundred dollars in value; all spinning 
wheels and looms, one sewing machine, and other instruments 
of domestic labor kept for actual use; the necessary provisions 
and fuel for the use of the family for six months; the proper 
tools, instruments, or books of the debtor, if a farmer, mechanic, 
surveyor, clergyman, lawyer, physician, teacher, or professor; 
the horse, or the team, consisting of not more than two horses 
or mules, or two yoke of cattle, and the wagon or other vehicle, 
with the proper harness or tackle, by the use of which the 


LEGAL FACTS-IOWA. 


635 

debtor, if a physician, public officer, farmer, teamster, or other 
laborer habitually earns his living; and to the debtor, if a 
printer, then shall also be exempt a printing press, and the 
types, furniture, and material necessary for the use of such 
printing press and a newspaper office connected therewith, not 
to exceed, in all, the value of twelve hundred dollars. 

The earnings of a debtor, or of his family, for personal ser¬ 
vices, at any time within ninety days, are also exempt. 

To an unmarried person not the head of a family, and to 
non-residents, there is exempt their ordinary wearing apparel, 
and trunk necessary to contain the same. 

When the debtor, if the head of a family, has started to leave 
the State, there is exempt only the ordinary wearing apparel, 
for himself and family, and such other property as he may 
select, not to exceed in value, in all, seventy-five dollars. 

None of these exemptions are allowed against an execution 
for the purchase money of property claimed to be exempt. 

Where the debtor has absconded, his wife and children are 
entitled to these exemptions. 

TAXES. 

Taxes become a lien on real estate on the first day of Novem¬ 
ber of each year, and are due and payable on the second Mon¬ 
day of November of each year. If not paid by first day of 
February of each year they become delinquent, and are a per¬ 
petual lien upon real estate. 

Taxes due upon personal property are a lien upon any real 
estate of the owner, or to which he may acquire a title. 

If not paid before the first day of March, the Treasurer col¬ 
lects, in addition to the delinquent tax, at the rate of one per 
cent, a month for the first three months, two per cent, for the 
second three months, and three per cent, a month thereafter. 

Tax 8ale.—0\v the first Monday in October in each year all 
real property on which taxes are unpaid shall be offered for 
sale. 

Hedemphon .—Property sold may be redeemed at any time 
before the right of redemption is cut off, by paying the County 


636 


LEGAL FACTS-IOWA. 


Auditor the amount for which such property was sold, and 
twenty per cent, added thereto at time of sale, witli ten per 
cent, interest per annum on tlie entire amount from date of 
sale; and if the purchaser has paid the taxes for any years 
subsequent to the sale, the person redeeming shall pay the 
amount of such taxes with interest and costs, and twenty per 
cent, added thereto, with ten per cent, on amount from date of 
payment. 

Deed .—After the expiration of two years and nine months 
the holder of the Treasurer’s certificate of purchase shall cause 
a written notice to be served on the person in possession of the 
property and the person in whose name it is taxed, if such 
person reside in the county where the land is situated, giving 
the date of the sale, the description of the land, the name of 
the purchaser, and that the right of redemption will expire 
and a deed for said land be made, unless the land is redeemed 
within ninety days from the time of notice. If the owner is 
a non-resident service may be made by publishing said notice 
three times in some newspaper printed in said coiinty, and if 
no newspaper is published in the county, then in the nearest 
newspaper published in the State. If the property is not 
redeemed within ninety days after the giving of this notice, the 
Treasurer must execute and deliver to the holder of the certifi¬ 
cate a deed for the land so sold. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

The following actions may be brought within the times 
herein named, after their causes accrue, and not afterwards, 
except as named hereafter: 

Actions founded on injuries to the person or reputation, 
whether based on contract or tort, or for a statute penalty, 
within two years. 

Actions to enforce a mechanic’s lien, within two years from 
the time of filing the statement in the Clerk’s office. 

Those against a public officer, growing out of a liability 
incurred by the doing of an act in an official capacity or by the 


LEGAL FACTS-IOWA. 


63T 


omission of an official duty, including the non-payment of 
money, within three years. 

Those founded on unwritten contracts; those brought for 
injuries to property, or for relief on the ground of fraud in 
cases heretofore solely cognizable in a court of chancery, and 
all other actions not otherwise provided for in this respect, 
within five years. 

Those founded on written contracts, on the judgments of 
any courts, except those courts provided for in the next clause, 
and those brought for the recovery of real property, within ten 
years. 

Those founded on a judgment of a court of record, whether 
of this or of any other of the United States, or of the federal 
courts of the United States, within twenty years. 

In actions for relief on the ground of fraud or mistake, and 
in actions for trespass to property, the cause of action shall not 
be deemed to have accrued until the fraud, mistake, or trespass 
shall have been discovered by the party aggrieved. 

Where there is a continuous open current account, the cause 
of action shall be deemed to have accrued on the date of the 
last item thereof. 

The time during which a defendant is a non-resident of the 
State shall not be included in computing any of the periods of 
limitation. 

The times limited for actions, except those brought for pen¬ 
alties and forfeiture, shall, in favor of minors and insane per¬ 
sons, be extended so that they shall have one year from the 
termination of such disability within which to commence said 
actions. 


INTEEEST AND USUEY. 

The legal rate of interest is six per cent., but parties may 
agree in writing for the payment of higher rate of interest, 
not exceeding ten per cent. 

If a higher rate of interest than ten per cent, has 
been contracted for, either directly or indirectly, payable in 


638 


LEGAL FACTS-IOWA. 


money or property, the contract is usurious, and if suit is 
instituted upon such contract, the person accepting the illegal 
rate of interest shall forfeit ten per cent, upon the amount of 
such contract, and shall have judgment for the principal, with¬ 
out interest or costs, and the party agreeing to pay such illegal 
interest shall pay the same to the State, for the use of the school 
fund, and judgment shall be rendered in favor of the State and 
against him for said amount. 

STATUTE OF FRAUD. 

Except as hereafter mentioned, no evidence of the following 
contracts is competent, unless it be in writing and signed by 
the party to be charged, or by his agent: 

Contracts in relation to the sale of personal property, when 
no part of the property is delivered, and no part of the price 
is paid. 

Those made in consideration of marriage. 

Those by which one person promises to answer for the debt, 
default, or miscarriage of another, including promises by execu¬ 
tors to pay the debt of their principal from their own estate. 

Those for the creation or transfer of any interest in lands, 
except leases for a term not exceeding one year. 

Those that are not to be performed within one year from the 
making thereof. 

The first of the above clauses, in relation to sale of personal 
property, does not apply when the article sold is not at the 
time of the contract owned by the vendor and ready for deliv¬ 
ery; but labor, skill, or money are necessarily to be expended 
in producing or procuring the same; nor do these in the final 
clause, in relation to sale of real estate, apply where the pur¬ 
chase money, or any part thereof, has been received by the 
vendor, or when the vendee, with the actual or implied consent 
of the vendor, has taken and held possession thereof under and 
by virtue of the contract. 


LEGAL FACTS-ILLINOIS. 


639 


ILLINOIS. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY OF PERSONS DYING INTES¬ 
TATE. 

A widow shall be endowed of the third part of all lands 
wheieof her husband was seized of an estate of inheritance, 
possessed at any time during the marriage, unless the same 
has been relinquished in legal form. 

Subject to the above, all such property descends as follows: 

To his or her children and their descendants, in equal parts; 
the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the 
share of their deceased parents in equal parts. 

When there is no child of the intestate, nor descendant of 
such child, and no widow or surviving husband, then to the 
parents, brothers and sisters of the deceased, and their descend¬ 
ants, in equal parts, allowing to each of the parents, if living, 
a child’s part, or to the survivor, if one be dead, a double por¬ 
tion ; and if there is no parent living, then to the brothers and 
sisters of the intestate, and their descendants. 

When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no child 
or children, or descendants of a child or children of the intes¬ 
tate, then (after payment of debts), one-half of the real estate 
and all of the personal estate descends to such widow or sur¬ 
viving husband, as an absolute estate forever. 

When there is a widow or surviving husband, and also a 
child or children, or descendants of such child or children of 
the intestate, the widow or surviving husband receives as his 
or her absolute personal estate, one-third of all the personal 
estate of the intestate. 

If there is no child of the intestate, or descendant of such 
child, and no parents, brother or sister, or descendant of such 
parent, brother or sister, and no widow or surviving husband, 
then such estate descends in equal parts to the next of kin to 
the intestate, in equal degree, and there shall be no representa¬ 
tion among collaterals, except with the descendants of brothers 
and sisters of the intestate; and in no case is there any dis¬ 
tinction between the kindred of the whole and half blood. 


640 


LEGAI. FACTS-ILLINOIS. 


If any intestate leaves a widow or surviving husband and no 
kindred, his or her estate shall descend to such widow or sur¬ 
viving husband. 

If the intestate leaves no kindred, and no widow or husband, 
his or her property escheats to the State. 

PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

Every householder having a family is entitled to a home¬ 
stead, to the extent in value of fifteen hundred dollars, in the 
farm or lot of land and buildings thereon, owned or rightly 
possessed, by lease or otherwise, and occupied by him or her 
as a residence. 

PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

The necessary wearing apparel of every person, one sewing 
machine, the furniture, tools and implements of any person 
necessary to carry on his trade or business, not exceeding one 
hundred dollars in value; the implements or library of any 
professional man, not exceeding one hundred dollars in value; 
materials and stock designated and procured by him and neces¬ 
sary for carrying on his trade or business, and intended to be 
used or wrought therein, not exceeding one hundred dollars in 
value. 

When the debtor is the head of a family, and resides with 
the same, the following property is also exempt: 

Necessary beds, bedsteads and bedding; two stoves and pipe; 
necessary household furniture, not exceeding in value two 
hundred dollars; one cow; two swine; two sheep for each 
member of the family, and the fleeces taken from the same, and 
the yarn and cloth that may be manufactured therefrom; one 
yoke of oxen, or two horses in lieu thereof, worth not exceed¬ 
ing two hundred and fifty dollars, with the harness therefor; 
necessary provisions and fuel for the use of the family for 
three months, and the necessary food for the stock exempt, for 
the same time; the bibles, school books and family pictures; 
the family library; cemetery lots or rights of burial and tombs 
for repositories for the dead; one hundred dollars worth of 


LEGAL FACTS-ILLINOIS. 


64i 


other property suited to his condition in life selected by the 
debtor. 

Whenever the debtor has not any or all of the articles above 
specified, he may elect others of equal value in their :tead, or 
he may retain their value in money. 

This property is not exempt from execution or sale for the 
purchase money of said property. 

TAXES. 

The county clerk shall on or before, or within ten days after 
the first day of December, annually, deliver to the collector the 
tax books, for the collection of taxes. Upon receiving said 
books, the collector shall proceed to the collection of the taxes, 
and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person 
taxed, or at his residence or place of business, and demand the 
payment of his taxes. If any person refuse or neglect to pay 
said tax, it is the duty of the collector to collect the same by 
levy and sale of personal property belonging to the person so 
refusing. Taxes upon real estate unpaid on the first day of 
February, annually, or when the tax books are returned, are 
deemed delinquent. At any time after the first day of April 
next after the delinquent taxes shall become due, the collector 
shall give notice that he will apply to the county court at the 
term thereof, for judgment against the real estate upon 
which the taxes are unpaid, and at a time fixed in said notice 

_all real estate for which an order of sale shall be made by 

said court, will be offered for sale at public auction; this notice 
must contain a description of all property against which judg¬ 
ment is asked, and must be published once in some newspaper 
in the county, if a paper is published in the county; if not, 
then in the nearest newspaper in the State to the county seat, 
at least three weeks previous to the term of court at which 
judgment is prayed. 

Every tract offered at public sale, and not sold for want of 
bidders, shall be forfeited to the State. 

Bedemption.—LdiJi^ sold may be redeemed at any time 
41 


642 


LEGAL FACTS-ILLINOIS. 


befoi'e the expiration of two years, by paying the amount for 
which it was sold, and twenty-five per cent, thereon, if redeemed 
within six months from day of sale; if between six and twelv^e 
months, fifty per cent.; if between twelve and eighteen months, 
seventy-five per cent.; if between eighteen months and tv/o 
years, one hundred per cent, on the amount for which it was sold. 

If the property of any minor heir, married woman, insane 
person or idiot, be sold for non-payment of taxes, it may be 
redeemed at any time before the expiration of one year after 
such disability be removed, upon payment of double the amount 
for which the same was sold and ten per cent, thereon after 
expiration of two years from date of sale. 

Deed .—The holder of the certificate of purchase at the tax sale 
must, at least three months before the expiration of the time 
of redemption from such sale, serve a written or printed notice, 
giving a description of the land, when purchased by him, in 
whose name taxed and when the time of redemption will 
expire, upon every person in actual occupation or possession 
of said land, and also upon the person in whose name it was 
assessed or taxed if he can ascertain the same. 

If no person is in possession of the same and the person in 
whose name the land is assessed cannot be found in the county, 
then said notice shall be published in some newspaper printed 
in such county, and if there be no such paper, then in the 
paper published in the State nearest the county seat of the 
county where said land is situated, which notice shall be 
inserted three times, the first time not more than five months, 
and the last not less than three months before the time of 
such redemption expires. If after the giving of said notice 
the land is not redeemed, at the expiration of two years from 
sale the holder of the certificate is entitled to a deed. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

The following actions must be brought within the time here¬ 
after named, after the cause of action accrues: 

For slander or libel, within one year. For damages, for 
injury to the person, or false imprisonment, or malicious pros- 


LEGAL PACTS—ILLINOIS. 


643 


edition, or for a statutory penalty, or for abduction, or for 
seduction, or for criminal conversation, within two years. 

Action on unwritten contracts, expressed or implied, or on 
awards of arbitration, or to recover damages for injury done to 
property, real or personal, or to recover the possession of per¬ 
sonal property or damages for the detention or conversion 
thereof, and all civil actions not otherwise provided for, within 
five years. 

Actions on bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange, written 
leases, written contracts, or other evidences of indebtedness in 
writing, within ten years. If any payment or even promise 
to pay shall have been made, in writing, or any bond, note, bill, 
lease, contract, or other written evidence of indebtedness, 
wdthin or after the said period of ten years, an action may be 
commenced thereon at any time within ten years after the time 
of such payment or promise to pay. 

For the recovery of real estate, within twenty years. 

If when a cause of action accrues against a person, he is out 
of the State, the action may be commenced within the time 
above limited after his return, and if, after the cause of action 
accrues, he leaves the State and resides out of it, the time of 
his absence is not part of the time limited, for the commence¬ 
ment of actions. 

If a person entitled to bring an action die before the expira¬ 
tion of the time limited for the commencement thereof, and 
the cause of action survives, an action may be commenced by 
his representative after the expiration of that time, and within 
one year from his death. 

If a person against whom an action may be brought die, 
before the expiration of the time limited for the commence¬ 
ment thereof, and the cause of action survives, an action may 
be commenced against his executors or administrators, after 
the expiration of that time, and within one year after issuing 
of letters of administration. 

If a person liable to an action fraudulently conceals the 
cause of action from the knowledge of the person entitled 


644 


LEGAL FACTS-ILLINOIS. 


thereto, the action may be commenced within five years after 
the person entitled to bring sucli action discovers that he has 
such right. 

If the person entitled to bring any of these actions is, at the 
time the cause of action accrues, a minor, or insane, or impris¬ 
oned on a criminal charge, he or she may bring such action 
within two years after the disability is removed. 

INTEREST AND USURY. 

The rate of interest on all contracts and agreements is six 
per cent, unless otherwise agreed in such contracts. 

But parties may agree upon a rate of interest not to exceed 
ten per cent. 

Any person agreeing or contracting to receive a higher rate 
of interest than ten per cent., shall forfeit the whole of said 
interest, and shall only recover the principal. 

STATUTE OF FRAUD. 

In the following cases every agreement shall be void, unless 
the same, or some note or memorandum thereof, be in writing, 
and subscribed by the person to be charged thereby: 

Actions to charge any executor or administrator upon any 
special promise to answer any debt or damages out of his own 
estate, or whereby to charge the defendant upon any special 
promise to answer for the debt, default or miscarriage of 
another person, or to charge any person upon any agreement 
made upon consideration of marriage, or upon any contract for 
the sale of lands, tenements or hereditaments, or any interest 
in, or concerning them, for a longer term than one year; or 
upon any agreement that is not to be performed within the 
space of one year from the making thereof. All declarations 
or creations of trusts or confidences of any lands, tenements, 
or hereditaments; provided, that resulting trust or trusts cre¬ 
ated by construction, implication or operation of law, need not 
be in writing. 


LEGAL FACTS-INDIANA. 


645 


mmANA. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY OF AN INTESTATE. 

The widow of any deceased person is entitled to one-third 
of his real estate in fee simple, free from all demands of cred¬ 
itors, except, where its value exceeds ten thousand dollars, she 
takes but one-fourth, and where it exceeds twenty thousand 
dollars but one-fifth as against creditors. If the entire estate, 
real and personal, does not exceed three hundred dollars, the 
widow takes it all in trust for herself and infant children of 
deceased, without administration, and free from all claims of 
creditors. 

Subject to the foregoing provisions the real and personal 
property of any person dying intestate, descends to his or her 
children in equal proportions, and posthumous children inherit 
equally with those born before the death of the ancestor. 

If any children of such intestates have died intestate, leav¬ 
ing a child or children, such children inherit the share which 
would have descended to the father or mother, and grandchil¬ 
dren, and more remote descendants, and other relatives of the 
intestate, whether lineal or collateral, inherit by the same rule. 
If, however, the intestate leave at his death grandchildren only 
alive, they shall inherit equally. If the intestate die without 
lawful issue, or their descendants living, one-half of the estate 
goes to the father and mother of such intestate, as joint ten¬ 
ants, or if either be dead to the survivor; the other half to the 
brothers and sisters and to the descendants of such as are dead, 
as tenants in common. 

If there be neither father nor mother, the brothers and sisters 
of the intestate living, and the descendants of such as are dead, 
take the inheritance as tenants in common. 

If there be no brothers or sisters of the intestate or theii 
descendants, the father and mother shall take the inheritance 
as joint tenants, if either be dead, the other shall take the 
-estate. 

If a wife die testate or intestate, leaving a widower, one- 


646 


LEGAL FACTS-INDIANA. 


third of her real estate descends to liim, subject, however, to 
its proportion of the debts of the wife contracted before 
marriage. 

If a husband die intestate, leaving a widow and only one 
child, his estate descends one-half to his widow and one-half 
to his child. 

If the intestate leave a widow and child or children not 
exceeding two, his personal property is equally divided among 
the widow and children, the widow taking an equal share with 
one child, but if the number of children exceeds two the 
widow’s share is not reduced below one-third of the whole. 
If, however, a man marry a second or other subsequent wife, 
and has, by her, no children, but has children alive by a pre¬ 
vious wife, the land which, at his death, descends to such wife 
shall at her death descend to his children. 

If a husband or wife die intestate leaving no child, but 
leaving a father and mother, or either of them, then his or her 
real and personal property descends three-fourths to the widow 
or widower, and one-fourth to the father and mother jointly, 
or to the survivor of them. If, however, the entire property 
real and personal does not exceed one thousand dollars, it all 
goes to such widow or widower. 

If they leave neither child, father nor mother, the entire 
property goes to the survivor. 

PROPEKTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

An amount of property not exceeding in value three hun¬ 
dred dollars, owned by any resident householder, is exempt 
from sale or execution. 

The property may be real or personal or both. 

The value of the property claimed as exempt shall be ascer¬ 
tained by two appraisers, one to be selected by the plaintiff, 
his agent or attorney, and one by the execution debtor, and in 
case of disagreement these two are to select a third. 

If real estate is claimed as exempt, if possible the principal 
dwelling house or homestead is set off to him. 


LEGAL FACTS-INDIANA. 


647 


TAXES 

Become a lien on real estate on the first day of January, 
annually. 

The county treasurer receives the tax list between the first 
Monday in June and the fifteenth day of October of each year, 
and for the purpose of collecting the same shall attend at his 
office, at the seat of justice, until the third Monday of April 
next thereafter. 

Between the first and fifteenth of December annually, the 
county auditor makes out a list of delinquent taxes and causes 
a copy of the same to be immediately published, for four weeks 
successively, once each week, in a newspaper having general 
circulation in the county, or by handbills posted up in public 
places in each township, giving notice that real estate upon 
which taxes are delinquent will be offered at public sale on the 
first Monday in February next thereafter. 

Redemption .—The purchaser at such sale receives a certifi¬ 
cate of purchase, but at any time Vithin two years from the 
last day of sale the owner or occupant of land sold can redeem 
the same, by paying to the county treasurer the sum men¬ 
tioned in the certificate of purchase, and the amount of all 
subsequent taxes paid, with fifty per cent, on the whole 
sum, and interest from date of purchase, or from time of 
payment. 

Deed .—If the land is not redeemed under two years from 
the last day of sale, on presentation of certificate of purchase 
to the auditor, the holder receives a deed for land sold. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

The following actions must be commenced within the period 
hereafter prescribed after the cause of action has accrued: , 

Against sureties on replevin bond; for injuries to person or 
character, and for forfeiture or penalty given by statute, within 
two years. 

Against a sheriff or other public officer, or against such 
officer and his sureties on a public bond, growing out of a lia- 


648 


LEGAL FACTS—INDIANA. 


bilitj incurred bj doing an act in an official capacity, or the 
omission of an official duty, within three years. 

Actions on accounts and unwritten contracts; for use, rents, 
and profits of real estate; for injuries to property, damages for 
any detention thereof; for recovering possession of personal 
property; for relief against fraud, and against a public officer 
or his legal representatives, within six years. 

For the recovery of real property sold on execution, brought 
by the execution-debtor or his heirs, within ten years. 

Upon contracts in writing, judgments of a court of record, 
and for the recovery of the possession of real estate, under 
twenty years. 

For the recovery of real property sold by executors, admin¬ 
istrators, guardians or commissioners of a court, within five 
years after sale is confirmed. 

All other claims within fifteen years. 

A party being under legal disability when the cause of action 
accrues may bring his suit within two years after removal of 
disability. 

The time during which the defendant is a non-resident of the 
State, or absent on public business shall not be included in any 
of the periods of limitation. But if action is fully barred by 
laws of State where he resided, the bar shall be the same 
defense here as though it had arisen under the State. 

INTEREST AND USURY. 

The legal rate of interest is six per cent., but parties may, in 
writing, contract for a higher rate, not to exceed ten per cent. 

If a higher rate than ten per cent, is contracted for, the con¬ 
tract is not void, except as to the excess only. 

STATUTE OF FRAUDS. 

In the following case any agreement is void, unless the same 
or some memorandum or note thereof be in writing, and signed 
by the party to be charged, or by some one authorized by him 
to sign the same: 

Action to charge an executor or administrator, upon any 


LEGAL FACTS—WISCONSIN. 


649 


special promise, to answer damages out of his own estate, or, 
to charge any person, upon any special promise, to answer for 
the debt, default or miscarriage of another; or to charge any 
person upon any agreement or promise made in consideration 
of marriage; or upon any contract for the sale of lands; or 
upon any agreement not to be performed within one year from 
the making thereof; every conveyance of any existing trust 
in lands, goods or things in action; actions to charge any 
person by reason of any representation made concerning the 
character, conduct, credit, ability, trade or dealings of any other 
person; contracts for sale of goods of the value of fifty dollars 
or more, unless the same or some part thereof be delivered, or 
unless the purchase money or some part thereof be paid. 

WISCOKSIN. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY OF AN INTESTATE. 

The widow is entitled to the use during her natural life, of 
one-third of all lands owned by her husband, unless said right 
or interest has been lawfully barred. 

Subject to widow’s dower—and payment of debts—the prop¬ 
erty descends in equal shares to his children, and the lawful 
issue of any deceased child. If there be no child of the intes¬ 
tate living at his death, his estate descends to all his other 
lineal descendants; and if all said descendants are in the same 
degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate 
equally, otherwise they take according to the right ol rep¬ 
resentation. 

If he leave no issue, the real and personal estate descends to 
his widow. If he leave neither issue nor widow, his estate 
descends to his parents, if living, or if but one survives him, 
to such survivor. The same rules govern the descent of prop¬ 
erty of a married woman. 

If the intestate leave neither wife, nor issue, nor father, the 
estate descends in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and 
to the children of any deceased brother or sister. If intestate 


650 


LEGAL FACTS-WISCONSIN. 


leaves a mother she takes an equal share with the brothers and 
sisters. 

If intestate leave no issue, neither widow, nor father, brother 
nor sister the estate descends to his mother. 

If the intestate leave neither issue, nor widow, and no father, 
mother, brother, nor sister, the estate descends to his next of 
kin in equal degree, but when there are two or more collateral 
kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances¬ 
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be 
preferred to those claiming through an ancestor more remote. 
If, however, any person die, leaving several children, or leav¬ 
ing one child, and the issue of one or more other children, and 
any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having 
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child 
by inheritance from such deceased parent, shall descend in 
equal shares to the other children of the same parent, or if 
deceased, b}^ right of representation to their issue. 

If the intestate leaves a widow, and no kindred, his estate 
descends to such widow. 

If the intestate leaves no widow nor kindred, the property 
escheats to the State. 

PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

The homestead not exceeding forty acres of land, used for 
agricultural purposes, not included in any town plat, or city, 
or village, or if within a town or city, an amount of ground 
not exceeding one-fourth of an acre. Also— 

The family Bible; family pictures or school books; the 
library of the debtor; but this provision does not extend to 
circulating libraries; a seat or pew in any church or place of 
public worship; the right of burial of the dead; all wearing 
apparel of the debtor and his family; all beds, bedsteads, and 
bedding kept and used by the debtor and his family; all stoves 
and appendages put up or kept for the use of the debtor and his 
family; all cooking utensils, and all other household furniture 
not herein enumerated, not exceeding two hundred dollars in 


LEGAL FACTS-WISCONSIN. 


651 


value; one gun, rifle, or other firearm, not exceeding fifty dol¬ 
lars in value; two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one 
horse or mule, or in lieu of one yoke of oxen and a horse or 
mule, a span of horses or a span of mules; ten sheep and the 
wool therefrom, either in raw material or manufactured-into 
yarn or cloth; the necessary food for all of the stock mentioned 
above for one year, either provided or growing, or both, as the 
debtor may choose; one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one 
plow, one drag, and other farming utensils, including tackle 
for teams, not exceeding fifty dollars in value; the provisions 
for the debtor and his family necessary for one year’s support,, 
either provided or growing, or both; fuel necessary for one 
year; the tools and implements or stock in trade, of any 
mechanic, miner, or other person, used and kept for the pur¬ 
pose of carrying on his trade or business, not exceeding two 
hundred dollars in value; the library and implements of any 
professional man, not exceeding two hundred dollars in value. 
All of the property exempt shall be chosen by the debtor, or 
some one authorized to act for him. All sewing machines 
kept for use, not exceeding one for each member of the fam¬ 
ily, are also exempt; and printing materials and press or 
presses, to an amount not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars. 

TAXES 

Are a lien on real estate from time of assessment until paid, 
and are payable at any time prior to the first day of January. 

After said date the county treasurer must call at least once 
upon the party taxed, at his usual place of residence, and 
demand payment. 

If the person owing the taxes neglects or refuses to pay the 
same, the treasurer shall proceed to collect such tax by distress 
and sale of personal property of the delinquent. 

Lands upon which the taxes are not paid by the first day of 
February are subject to sale on the second Tuesday of May 
following. Notice of which sale must be given by publica¬ 
tion in some newspaper in the county, or if tliere be none, 


652 


LEGAI. FACTS-WISCONSIN. 


then in a newspaper printed in an adjoining county, if there be 
one; if not, then in a newspaper published at the seat of govern¬ 
ment, at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to 
the day of sale; and if for any reason such lands cannot be 
sold on the second Tuesday in May, then the sale shall be made 
on the first Tuesday of September following, after having given 
this same notice. 

The purchaser at such sale, receives a certificate of purchase, 
and if the land described therein is not redeemed within three 
years from the date of such certificate, by presenting the same 
to the clerk of the board of supervisors, the holder thereof is 
■entitled to a deed. 

The owner or occupant of land sold for taxes, within three 
years from date of sale may redeem the same by paying to the 
clerk of the board of supervisors the amount for which the 
same was sold, and all subsequent charges thereon, with inter¬ 
est on the amount of purchase money at the rate of twenty-five 
per cent, per annum from the date of certificate. 

LIMITATION OF ACTION. 

The following actions must be commenced within the period 
hereafter mentioned, after the cause of action accrues: 

Upon a judgment or decree of any court of record of this 
State, and upon a sealed instrument, when the cause of action 
accrues within the State, within twenty years. 

Upon a judgment or decree of any court of record of any 
State or Territory within the United States, or of any of the 
courts of the United States, upon sealed instruments, when the 
cause of action accrued without the State, within ten years. 

Upon contracts, obligations, or liabilities, express or implied, 
except those above mentioned, upon a liability created by stat¬ 
ute, other than a penalty or forfeiture, for trespass upon real 
property, for taking, detaining, or injuring any goods or chat¬ 
tels, (including actions for the specific recovery of personal 
property,) for criminal conversation, or for any other injury to 
the person or rights of another, not arising in contract, and not 


LEGAL FACTS-WISCONSIN. 


653 


mentioned hereafter for relief on the ground of fraud, in cases 
which were heretofore solely cognizable by the Court of Chan- 
cause of action in such case is not deemed to have 
accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts 
constituting the fraud,) within six years. 

Against a public officer, upon a liability incurred by the 
doing of an official act, or by the omission of an official duty, 
including the non-payment of money, within three years. 

Upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture, where the action 
is given to the party aggrieved, or to such party and the State, 
or to the State alone, except when the statute imposing it pre¬ 
scribes a different limitation, for slander, libel, assault, battery, 
or false imprisonment, within one year. 

Against a sheriff or other officer, for the escape of a prisoner 
arrested or imprisoned on civil process, within one year. 

If a party entitled to bring an action is under a legal dis¬ 
ability, the time of such disability is not a part of the time 
limited for the commencement of the action; provided, how¬ 
ever, that the period within which the action must be brought 
cannot be extended more than five years by any such disability, 
except infancy. 

INTEREST AND USURY. 

The legal rate of interest is seven per cent., but parties may 
in writing contract for a higher rate, not to exceed ten per cent. 

STATUTE OF FRAUD. 

In the following cases every agreement is void, unless the 
same, or some memorandum thereof, be in writing and signed 
by the party to be charged, or some one authorized to sign for 
him: 

All agreements which by their tenor are not to be performed 
within one year from the making thereof; every special prom¬ 
ise to answer for the debt, default or miscarriage of another; 
every agreement, promise, or undertaking, made upon consid¬ 
eration of marriage, except mutual promise to marry; every 
contract for the sale of any goods, chattels, or things in action. 


-654 


LEGAL FACTS-MINNESOTA. 


for the price of fifty dollars or more, unless the buyer accepts 
and receives part of such goods, or unless the buyer shall, at 
the time, pay some part of the purchase money. 

MUSTNESOTA. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY OF AN INTESTATE. 

The widow is entitled to the use, during her natural life, of 
one-third of all the lands owned by her husband at any time 
during the marriage, unless she is lawfully barred thereof. 

Subject to the widow’s dower and the payment of debts, the 
property of an intestate descends as follows: 

In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of 
any deceased child; and if there is no child living at the death of 
the intestate, the estate descends to all other lineal descendants; 
if all the said descendants are in the same degree of kindred 
to the intestate, they share the estate equally, othervrise they 
take according to the right of representation. If he leaves no 
issue the estate descends to his widow during her natural life, 
and after her decease to his father; if he leaves neither issue 
nor widow, to his father; if he leaves neither issue nor father, 
his estate shall descend to his widow during her natural life, and 
after her decease in equal shares to his brothers and sisters; if, 
however, he leaves a mother, she shall take an equal share with 
his brothers and sisters. If he leaves no issue, nor widow, nor 
father, his estate shall descend in equal shares to his brothers 
and sisters, and to the children of any deceased brother or sis¬ 
ter; if, however, he leaves a mother, she shall take an equal 
share with his brothers and sisters. If the intestate leaves no 
issue, nor widow, nor father, and no brother nor sister living 
at his death, his estate descends to his mother, to the exclusion 
of the issue, if any, of the deceased brothers and sisters. If 
he leaves no issue nor widow, and no father, mother, brother, 
or sister, his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal 
degree; but when there are two or more collateral kindred in 
equal degree, but claiming through different ancestors, those 
who claim through the nearest ancestors shall be preferred to 


LEGAL FACTS—MINNESOTA. 


655 


those claiming through an ancestor more remote; but if any 
person die leaving several children, or one child, and the issue 
of older children, and any such surviving child dies under age, 
and not having married, all the estate that comes to the deceased 
child by inheritance from such deceased parent descends in 
equal shares to the other children of the same parent, and to 
the issue of any deceased children. If, at the death of such child 
who dies under age, not having been married, all the other 
children of his said parent are dead, and any of them has left 
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from 
his said parent descends to all the issue of the other children 
of the same parent, and if all the said issue are in the same 
degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the estate 
equally. If the intestate leaves a widow and no kindred, his 
estate descends to his widow. If he leaves no widow or kin¬ 
dred his estate escheats to the State. 

PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

The homestead not exceeding eighty acres of land, and not 
included in any town, city, or village, and not to exceed one 
lot in any town, city, or village, and in both cases the improve¬ 
ments thereon used by the owner as a residence. And in addi¬ 
tion the following personal property : the family bible, family 
pictures, school books, or library, and musical instruments for 
use of family, a seat or pew in any house or place of worship, 
a lot in any burial grounds, all wearing apparel of the debtor 
and his family, all beds, bedsteads and bedding kept for use by 
the debtor and his family; all stoves and appendages put up 
or kept for the use of the debtor and his family; all cook¬ 
ing utensils, and all other household furniture not herein 
enumerated, not exceeding five hundred dollars in value; 
three cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and a horse, or in 
lieu of one yoke of oxen and a horse, a span of horses or 
mules, twenty sheep, and the wool therefrom, either in the raw 
material or manufactured; the necessary food for all the stock 
mentioned above tor one yearns support, either provided or 
growing, or both, as the debtor may choose; one wagon, cart. 


656 


LEGAL FACTS—MINNESOTA. 


or dray, one sleigh, two plows, one drag, and other farming 
utensils, including tackle for teams, not exceeding three hun¬ 
dred dollars in value; the provisions for the debtor and his 
family necessary for one year’s support, either provided or 
growing, or both, and fuel necessary for one year; the tools 
and instruments of any mechanic, miner, or other person, used 
and kept for the purpose of carrying on his trade, and in addi¬ 
tion thereto, stock in trade not exceeding four hundred dollars 
in value; the library and implements of any professional man, 
all of the articles to be chosen by the debtor or person author¬ 
ized to act for him; one sewing machine, necessary seed grain 
for the actual personal use of the debtor for one season, to be 
selected by him, not to exceed the following kinds and amounts: 
fifty bushels of wheat, fifty bushels of oats, fifteen bushels of 
potatoes, three bushels of corn, and thirty bushels of barley. 

The wages of any laboring man or woman, or of his or her 
minor child, not exceeding fifty dollars, due for services ren¬ 
dered by them within ninety days preceding the issue of pro¬ 
cess against such laborer. 

TAXES 

Become a lien on real estate on the first day of August of 
each year. 

Are to be paid during January and February in each suc¬ 
ceeding year, and if not paid by the first of March become 
delinquent. 

Land shall be sold for delinquent taxes on the first Monday 
in June, or any subsequent day to which the sale is lawfully 
adjourned; but prior to said sale, and between the third Mon¬ 
day in March and the third Monday in May, the county audi¬ 
tor shall cause notice of such sale to be published at least three 
weeks in some newspaper published in the county, or if there 
be none, in some paper published in the adjoining county. 

The purchaser at the tax sale is entitled to a certificate of 
purchase, and at the expiration of two years from date of sale 
the holder of such certificate is entitled to deed for land described 
therein. 


LEGAL FACTS-MINNESOTA. 


657 


At any time within two years from sale the land sold may 
be redeemed by paying into the county treasury the amount for 
which the same was sold, and twenty-four per cent, per annum 
from the day of sale, and all subsequent taxes assessed thereon, 
with interest at the rate of twenty-four per cent., and twenty- 
live cents for certificate of redemption. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

The following actions may be brought within the time here¬ 
after named after their causes accrue: 

For the recovery of real estate, within twenty years. 

Upon a judgment or decree of a court of the United States, 
or of any State or Territory, within ten years. 

Upon contracts or other obligations, express or implied, 
except those mentioned hereafter; upon a liability created by 
statute, other than a penalty or forfeiture; for trespass upon 
real estate; for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, 
including those for the specific recovery thereof; for criminal 
conversation, or for any other injury to the person or rights 
of another; actions for relief on the ground of fraud (the cause 
not accruing until the discovery of the fraud by the aggrieved 
party), within six years. 

Action against a public officer, upon a liability because of 
his official acts, or by the omission of an official duty, including 
the non-payment of money, upon a statute for a penalty, or 
forfeiture, given to the aggrieved party, or to such party and 
the State, within three years. 

Actions for libel, slander, assault, battery, or false imprison¬ 
ment, and upon a statute for a forfeiture or penalty to the 
State, within two years. 

The time during which a defendant is a non-resident of the 
State is not included. 

If a party entitled to bring an action is under a legal dis¬ 
ability, the time such disability continues is not a part of the 
time limited for the commencement of the action. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is seven per cent., but parties may, 

42 



658 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


in writing, contract for a higher rate, not exceeding twelve per 
cent. 

STATUTE OF FRAUDS. 

None of the following contracts shall be binding unless the 
same or some memorandum or note thereof is in writing and 
signed by the party to be charged. 

Agreements by their terms not to be performed within one 
year from the making thereof; promises to answer for the debt, 
default or doings of another; agreements or promises made 
upon consideration of marriage, except mutual promise to 
marry. 

Contracts for the sale of goods of a greater value than fifty 
dollars, unless the buyer accepts and receives part of such 
goods, or the evidence of some of them, or unless the buyer 
pays some part of the purchase money; grants, or assignments 
of any trust in goods or things in action; agreement for the 
conveyance or transfer of any estate or interest in lands, other 
than leases for a term not exceeding one year. 

NEBKASKA. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUITON OF PROPERTY OF AN INTESTATE. 

Real Estate .—The widow of every deceased person shall be 
entitled to dower, or the use, during her natural life, of one- 
third part of all the lands whereof her husband was seized, of 
all estate of inheritance at any time during the marriage, unless 
she is lawfully barred thereof. 

When any person shall die seized of any lands, tenements or 
hereditaments, or of any right thereto, or entitled to any inter¬ 
est therein in fee simple, not having devised the same, they 
shall descend, subject to his debts, as follows: 

In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of 
any deceased child; and if there be no child of decedent 
living at his death, his estate shall descend to all his other 
lineal descendants; and if all the said descendants are in the 
same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall have the 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


659 


estate equally, otherwise, they shall take according to the right 
of representation. 

It he have no issue, his estate shall descend to his widow 
during her natural life, and at her decease, to his father; and 
if he leave no issue nor widow, his estate shall descend to his 
father. 

If he shall leave no issue, nor widow, nor father, his estate 
shall descend, in equal shares, to his brothers and sisters, and to 
the children of any deceased brother or sister; provided, that 
it he shall leave a mother also, she shall take an equal share 
with his brothers and sisters. 

If he shall leave no issue, nor widow, nor father, and no 
brother nor sister living at his death, his estate shall descend 
to his mother, to the exclusion of the issue, if any, of the 
deceased brothers and sisters. 

If he shall leave no issue, nor widow, and no father, mother, 
brother nor sister, his estate shall descend to his next of kin, in 
equal degree, excepting that when there are two or more col¬ 
lateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different 
ancestors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall 
be preferred to those claiming through an ancestor more 
remote. Provided, That if any person shall die, leaving sev¬ 
eral children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or more 
other children, and any such surviving child shall die under 
age, and not having been married, all the estate that came to 
the deceased child, by inheritance from such deceased parent, 
shall descend, in equal shares, to the other children of the 
same parent, and to the issue of any such other children, who 
shall have died. 

If, at the death of such child who shall die under age, and 
not having been married, all the other children of his said 
parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left issue, 
the estate that came to said child, by inheritance from his said 
parent, shall descend to all the issue of other children of the 
same parent, and if all the said issue are in the same degree 
of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate equally; 


660 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


otherwise, they shall take according to the right of represen¬ 
tation. 

If the intestate shall leave a widow, and no kindred, hiS’ 
estate shall descend to such widow. 

If he shall have no widow, nor kindred, his estate shall 
escheat to the people of the State. 

PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

The widow shall be allowed all the articles of apparel and 
ornament, and all the wearing apparel and ornaments of the 
deceased, the household furniture of the deceased, not exceed¬ 
ing in value two hundred and fifty dollars, and other personal 
property, to be selected by her, not exceeding in value two 
hundred dollars; and this allowance shall be made as well 
when the widow receives the provisions made for her in the 
will of her husband as when he dies intestate. 

After payment of debts and allowance to family of decedent, 
the remainder of the personal estate shall be distributed in the 
same proportion, to the same persons, and for the same pur¬ 
pose as prescribed for the descent and disposition of the real 
estate, except that the widow shall be entitled to receive the 
same share as a child of the decedent would be entitled to. 

PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

A homestead, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, and the dwelling house thereon, or two lots in a city or 
town, or a lot or parcel of land not exceeding twenty acres, in a 
city or town, said land not being laid off into streets, blocks, and 
lots, in either case, the owner being the head of a family and 
owning and occupying said property so exempt. 

All heads of families who have neither lands, town lots, or 
houses subject to exemption as a homestead, shall have exempt 
from sale personal property to the value of five hundred 
dollars. In addition to the above, the following property shall 
be exempt from execution and sale: A family Bible, family 
pictures, school books, and the library for the use of the fam¬ 
ily, a seat or pew in any house or place of public worship, a 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


661 


lot in any burial ground, all necessary wearing apparel of the 
debtor and his family; all beds, bedsteads, and bedding nec¬ 
essary for the use of such family; all stoves and appendages 
put up or kept for the use of the debtor and his family, not 
exceeding four; all cooking utensils, and all other household 
furniture not herein enumerated, to be selected by the debtor, 
not exceeding in value one hundred dollars. 

One cow, three hogs, and all pigs under six months old; if 
the debtor be at the time actually engaged in the business of 
agriculture, he shall be entitled to one yoke of oxen, or a pair 
of horses with the necessary gearing; ten sheep, and the wool 
therefrom, either in the raw material or manufactured into 
yarn or cloth; the necessary food for the stock above mentioned, 
for the period of three months; one wagon, cart or dray, two 
plows and one drag, with other farming implements not exceed¬ 
ing fifty dollars in value. 

The provisions for the debtor and his family necessary for 
six months’ support, either provided or growing, or both, and 
fuel for six months. 

The tools and instruments of any mechanic, miner or other 
person, used and kept for the purpose of carrying on his trade 
or business, the library and implements of any professional 
man. The property above mentioned as being exempt, shall 
be chosen by the debtor, his agent, clerk or legal representative. 

None of these exemptions shall exempt any property from 
sale for clerks’, laborers’ or mechanics’ w^ages, or for money due 
from an attorney for money or other valuable consideration 
received by said attorney for any person or persons. 

TAXES. 

On the first day of March of each year unpaid taxes for the 
preceding year become a perpetual lien upon real estate. 

On the first Monday of January of each year the tax list for 
the preceding year is placed in the hands of the county treas¬ 
urer for collection. 

On the first day of May of the year after which taxes shall 
have been assessed, all unpaid taxes shall become delin- 


662 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


quent, and after such time, shall draw one per cent, per month 
interest. 

Tax Sales .—On the first Monday of September of each year, 
all lands on which the taxes levied for the previous year remain 
unpaid, shall be offered for sale by the county treasurer. 

Redemption .—Property sold for taxes may be redeemed by 
the owner or occupant of the same, or by any other person, at 
any time within two years from tlie day of sale, by paying to 
the county treasurer the sum named in the certificate of pur¬ 
chase, with interest thereon, at the rate of forty per cent, per 
annum, from the date of purchase, together with all taxes sub¬ 
sequently paid, whether for any year or years previous or 
subsequent to said sale, and interest thereon at the same rate 
from the date of payment; infants, idiots and insane persons 
may redeem any land belonging to them, from tax sale, within 
two years from the removal of such disability. Any person 
claiming an undivided part of any land sold for taxes, may 
redeem the same as above provided. 

Deed .—If the land is not redeemed within two years from 
date of sale, at any time after the expiration thereof, on pro¬ 
duction of the certificate of purchase, the treasurer shall 
execute to the holder thereof a deed for such land. 

LIMITATION OF ACTION. 

The following actions may be brought within the times 
herein named after their causes accrue, and not afterwards, 
except as named hereafter: 

For the death of a person caused by wrongful acts of another,, 
within two years from the death of such person. 

For the recovery of estate sold by a guardian, within five- 
years from the termination of guardianship, excepting only 
persons out of the State, minors and others under legal disabil¬ 
ity to sue at the time the cause of action shall accrue, who may 
commence their action within five years next after the removal 
of the disability or after their return to the State. 

For the recovery of an estate sold by an executor or admin- 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


663 


istrator, within five years next after the sale, with the same 
exceptions as above stated. 

For the recovery of claims against the estate of a deceased 
person, within two years from the time for paying such debts 
as finally limited by the probate court. 

To annul a marriage on the ground of physical incapacity, 
within two years from the date of such marriage. 

Against the sureties in any bond given by a guardian, within 
four years from the time of the discharge of the guardian, 
with the same exceptions as to time and persons, as allowed in 
action for recovery of estate sold by guardian. 

On mechanic’s lien, within two years from the performance 
of labor, or furnishing of material. 

For the recovery of the title or possession of lands, &c., 
within ten years, and this applies also to mortgages, where 
the person entitled to the right of action is under legal disa¬ 
bility at the time the cause of action accrued, may bring his 
action within ten years from the removal of such disability. 

For the forcible entry and detainer, or forcible detainer only, 
of real property, within one year. 

Upon a specialty, or any agreement, contract, or promise in 
writing, or foreign judgment within five years. 

Upon a contract not in writing, expressed or implied; an 
action upon a liability created by statute, other than a penalty 
or forfeiture, within four years. 

For trespass upon real property, for taking, detaining, or 
injuring personal property, including actions for the specific 
recovery of personal property; an action for an injury to the 
rights of the plaintiff, not arising on contract, for relief on 
ground of fraud (but the cause of action shall not accrue until 
the discovery of the fraud,) within four years. 

An action for libel, slander, assault and battery, malicious 
prosecution or false imprisonment; upon a statute penalty or 
forfeiture, within one year. 

Upon the official bond or undertaking of an executor, admin¬ 
istrator, guardian, sheriff, or any other officer, wdthin ten years. 


664 


LEGAL FACTS-NEBRASKA. 


For damages growing out of the failure, or want of consid¬ 
eration of contracts, expressed or implied, or for the recovery 
of money paid upon contracts, expressed or implied, the con¬ 
sideration of which has wholl}^ or in part tailed, within four 
years. 

For relief not already provided for, within four years. 

For the recovery of possession of real estate held under tax 
deed, within three years from the recording of the tax deed. 

Against the tax purchaser, his heirs or assigns, for the 
recovery of land sold for taxes, except in cases where taxes 
have been paid, or the land redeemed as pro\dded by law, 
within two years from the time of recording the tax deed. 

INTEREST AND USURY. 

The legal rate of interest is ten per cent., but parties may 
agree to the payment of a higher rate, not exceeding twelve 
per cent. 

If a higher rate of interest be contracted for or received^ 
and this fact shall be made to appear in any proceeding insti¬ 
tuted to recover on such contract, the plaintilf shall only 
recover the principal without interest, and the defendant shall 
recover costs; and if interest shall have been paid thereon, 
judgment shall be for the principal, deducting interest paid. 

STATUTE OF FRAUD. 

In the following cases every agreement is void, unless the 
same, or some note or memorandum thereof be in writing, and 
subscribed by the party to be charged therewith: 

Every agreement that, by its terms, is not to be performed 
within one year from the making thereof 

Every special promise to answer for the debt, default or mis¬ 
doings of anotlier person. 

Every agreement, promise or undertaking made upon con¬ 
sideration of marriage, except mutual promises to marry. 

Every special promise by an executor or administrator to 
answer for damao^es out of his own estate. 

Every contract for the sale of any goods, chattels, or things 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


665 


in action, for the price of fifty dollars or more, shall be void, 
unless— 

A note or memorandum of such contracts be made in writ¬ 
ing, and be subscribed by the party to be charged thereby; or 

Unless the buyer shall accept and receive part of such goods 
or the evidences, or some of them, of such things in action; or 

Unless the buyer shall, at the time, pay some part of the 
purchase money. 

MISSOURI. 

DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PROPERTY OF A PERSON DYING 
INTESTATE. 

Every widow shall be endowed of the third part of all lands 
of which her husband, or any other person to his use, was 
seized of an estate of inheritance, at any time during the mar¬ 
riage, to which she has not relinquished her right of dower, to 
hold and enjoy during her natural life. 

When any person owning real estate shall die intestate, sub¬ 
ject to the payment of his debts, and ‘ the widow’s dower, the 
same shall descend as follows: 

To his children, or their descendants, in equal parts; second, 
if there be no children, or their descendants, then to his father, 
mother, brothers, and sisters, and their descendants, in equal 
parts; third, if there be no children, or their descendants, 
father, mother, brothers, or sisters, nor their descendants, then 
to the husband or wife; if there be no husband or wife, then 
to the grandfather, grandmother, uncles and aunts, and their 
descendants, in equal parts; fourth, if there be no children or 
their descendants, father, mother, brother, sister, or their 
descendants, husband or wife, grandfather, grandmother, uncles, 
aunts, nor their descendants, then to the great grandfather, 
great grandmother, and their descendants, in equal parts; and 
so on, in other cases, without end, passing to the nearest lineal 
ancestors, and their children, and their descendants in equal 
parts. 


666 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


PERSONAL PROPERTY 

Descends to the same persons, and in the same proportion, 
as real estate. 

PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM EXECUTION AND SALE. 

The homestead of every house keeper or head of a family, 
consisting of a dwelling house and appurtenances, and the 
land used in connection therewith, not exceeding the amount 
and value hereafter limited, which is or shall be used by such 
house keeper or head of a family as such homestead, together 
with the rents, issues, and products thereof, are exempt, except 
as hereafter named. Such homestead, in the country, shall not 
include more than one hundred and sixty acres of land, or 
exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; and in cities 
having a population of forty thousand, or more, such home¬ 
stead shall not include more than eighteen square rods of 
ground, or exceed the total value of three thousand dollars; 
and in cities or other incorporated towns and villages having 
a less population than forty thousand, such homestead shall 
not include more than thirty square rods of ground, or exceed 
the total value of fifteen hundred dollars. 

If execution shall be levied upon real estate of which the 
homestead may be a part, or upon such part of any homestead 
as may be in excess of the limitation of the value thereof, the 
head of a family shall have the right to designate and choose 
the part thereof to which the exemption shall apply, not exceed¬ 
ing the limited value. 

PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

The following personal property is exempt: 1st. Ten head 
of choice hogs, ten head of choice sheep, and the product 
thereof in wool, yarn or cloth; two cows and calves, two plows, 
one ax, one hoe, and one set of plow gears, and all necessary 
farm implements for the use of one man. 2d. Working ani¬ 
mals, of the value of one hundred and fifty dollars. 3d. The 
spinning wheels and cards, one loom and apparatus necessary 
for manufacturing cloth in a private family. 4th. All the 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


667 


spun yarn, thread and cloth manufactured for family use. 5th. 
Any quantity of hemp, flax and wool, not exceeding twenty- 
five pounds each. 6th. All wearing apparel of the family, 
four beds with the usual bedding, and other household and 
kitchen furniture, not exceeding the value of one hundred 
dollars. 7th. The necessary tools and implements of trade of 
any mechanic, while carrying on his trade. 8th. All arms 
and military equipments required, by law, to be kept. 9th. 
All such provisions as may be found on hand for family use, 
not exceeding one hundred dollars in value. 10th. The Bible 
and other books used in a family, lettered grave stones, and 
one pew in a house of worship. 11th. All lawyers, phys¬ 
icians and ministers of the gospel shall have the privilege of 
selecting such books as shall be necessary to their profession, 
in the place of other property herein allowed; doctors of med¬ 
icine, in lieu of the property exempt, may be allowed to select 
their medicine. 

Each head of a family at his election, in lieu of the property 
mentioned in the first and second clauses of exemption above 
specified, may select and hold exempt from execution any other 
property, real, personal or mixed, or debts and wages, not 
exceeding in value the amount of three hundred dollars. 

TAXES. 

The collectors of the several counties must give not less than 
twenty days notice of the time and place at which they will 
meet the tax payers and collect and receive their taxes. The 
notice must be given by posting at least four written or printed 
hand bills in difierent parts of each municipal township in the 
county, and by publication for two weeks in a newspaper; if 
one be published in the county. 

If any tax payer fails to attend at such time and place, and 
pay his taxes, after the first day of January next, it is the duty 
of the collector to collect interest at the rate of one per cent, 
for all taxes paid in the month of January, two per cent, for 
taxes paid in February, and three and one-half per cent, for 
taxes paid in March, four and one-half per cent, for taxes paid 


668 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


in April, and two per cent, per month for each month there¬ 
after during which the tax shall remain unpaid. 

After the first day of December it is the duty of the collector 
to seize and sell the goods and chattels of persons whose taxes 
are delinquent, but no such seizure and sale shall be made 
until the collector has demanded payment of the tax, either by 
personal application to the tax payer or by leaving a written 
notice or demand at his place of residence. Unpaid taxes are 
a lien upon the real estate of the tax payer, and all taxes 
unpaid on the first day of January, annually, are delinquent. 

It is the duty of the collector, at least four weeks prior to 
the July term of the County Court to publish an advertise¬ 
ment in some newspaper published in the county, if there be 
such a paper, and if not then in the nearest newspaper in the 
State, which advertisement must contain a list of the real 
estate upon which the taxes are delinquent, and the amount of 
the same, and must give notice that he will apply to the 
County Court at the July term for judgment to enforce the 
lien against said property for taxes, and for an order to sell 
said land and lots, and also that on the first Monday in Octo¬ 
ber following, all said property will be exposed to public sale 
at the place of holding court in said county. 

The purchaser at such sale shall be entitled to a certificate 
of purchase, and all land not sold for want of bidders, is for¬ 
feited to the State. 

Redemption .—Deal property sold as above provided may be 
redeemed at any time before the expiration of two years, from 
the date of. sale, by the payment into the county treasury, if 
within six months from date of sale, the amount for which the 
same was sold, and fifty per cent, in addition thereto ; if 
within twelve months from date of sale, the amount for which 
the same was sold, and seventy-five per cent, added thereto 5 
and if after twelve months, by paying double the amount for 
which the same was sold, and all taxes and special assessments 
accruing after such sale witli ten per cent, interest thereon, 
from the first day of January ot the year for which paid, unless 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


669 


siicli subsequent assessment has been paid by the person for 
whose benefit the redemption is made. 

If the property of any minor, or insane person, is sold for 
non-payment of taxes, the same may be redeemed at any time 
alter sale and before the expiration of one year after such dis¬ 
ability be removed, upon the terms specified above and the 
payment of ten per cent, per annum on double the amount for 
which the same was sold, from and after the expiration of two 
years from date of sale, which redemption may be made by 
their guardian or legal representatives. 

Deed .—^At any time after the expiration of two years from 
date of sale, if the property has not been redeemed, the collec¬ 
tor, at request and on production of the certificate of purchaser, 
must execute and deliver to the holder thereof a deed for the 
land described therein. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

The following actions may be brought within the times 
herein named, after their causes accrue: 

First, For the recovery of any lands, tenements or heredita¬ 
ments, or for the recovery of the possession thereof, an action 
upon any writing, whether sealed or unsealed, for the payment 
of money or property. Second, Actions brought on any cove¬ 
nant of warranty contained in any deed or conveyance of land. 
(In this case the statute shall commence to run immediately 
after there shall have been a final decision against the title of 
the covenanter in such deed.) And actions on any covenant of 
seizure contained in such deed, within ten years. 

First, All actions upon contracts, obligations or liabilities, 
express or implied, except those above mentioned, and except 
upon judgments or decrees of a court of record; Second, Actions 
upon a liability created by a statute other than a penalty or 
forfeiture; Third, An action for trespass on real estate; Fourth, 
An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods, or chat¬ 
tels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal 
property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of 
another, not arising on contract, and not above mentioned; 


670 


LEGAL FACTS-MISSOURI. 


Fifth, An action for relief on the ground of fraud, within five 
years, but in the last case the cause of action to be deemed not 
to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party, at 
any time within ten years, of the facts constituting the fraud. 

First, Actions against a public officer, upon a liability 
incurred by the doing of an act in his ofiicial capacity and in 
virtue of his office, or by the omission of an official duty, 
including the non-payment of money collected upon execution 
or otherwise; Second, An action upon a statute for a penalty or 
forfeiture, when the action is given to the party aggrieved, 
within three years. 

Actions for libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprison¬ 
ment or criminal conversation, within two years. 

In an action brought to recover a balance due on a mutual, 
open and current account, where there have been reciprocal 
demands between the parties, the cause of action shall be 
deemed to have accrued from the time of the last item in the 
account on the adverse side. 

If any person entitled to bring an action, at the time the 
cause of action accrued, be either within the age of twenty-one 
years, or insane, or imprisoned on a criminal charge, or a mar¬ 
ried woman, such person shall be at liberty to bring such action 
within the respective times above mentioned, after such disa¬ 
bility is removed. 

STATUTE OF FRAUD. 

The following contracts are void unless the same be in writ¬ 
ing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or their 
agents: 

All leases, estates, interest of freehold or term of years, or 
any uncertain interest of, in, to, or out of any messuages, lands, 
tenements or hereditaments, made or created by livery and 
seizin only, or by parol, but such agreements shall have the 
force and effect of leases or estates at will only. 

Assignment, grants or the surrender of any of the above 
enumerated contracts. 

All declarations or creations of trust or confidence of any 


LEGAL FACTS—MISSOURI. 


671 


lands, tenements or hereditaments, and all grants and assign¬ 
ments of any trust or confidence. 

All agreement in which it is sought to charge any executor 
or administrator, upon any special promise, to answer for any 
debt or damages out of his own estate, or to charge any person 
upon any special promise to answer for the debt, default, or 
miscarriage of another person, or to charge any person upon 
any agreement made in consideration of marriage, or upon any 
contract for the sale of lands, or any interest in the same, or 
upon any agreement that is not to be performed within one 
year, from the making thereof. 

All contracts for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise, 
for the price of thirty dollars or upwards, unless the buyer 
shall accept part of the goods sold, and actually receive the 
same, or give something in earnest to bind the bargain, or in 
part payment. 

All agreements in which it is sought to charge any person 
upon, or by reason of, any representation or assurance made 
concerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade or deal¬ 
ings of any other person. 

INTEREST AND USURY. 

Where no other or different rate of interest is agreed upon, 
•debts draw interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, but 
the parties may, in writing, agree for the payment of interest 
not exceeding ten per cent, per annum. 

If it shall be made to appear, in any proceeding to recover 
money, that a larger rate of interest than ten per cent, was 
agreed upon, judgment shall be rendered for the actual amount 
due with ten per cent, interest, and an order shall be made 
setting apart the whole interest for the use of the school fund 
-of the county. 



k 


\ 


THfJ PRINCIPLES AND AIMS 


OF THB 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


THEIR 


ORIGIN, RAPID GROWTH, AND GENERAL STATISTICS. 


By a. R. SMEDLEY, 

w 

MASTER OF THE STATE GRANGE OF IOWA. 


A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FOOTPRINTS OF TIME. 


BURLINGTON, IOWA 

TIED BY B. 1 
1874. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, 

By B. T. root, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 




CONTEI^TS 


INTEODUCTION. 

New institutions come when needed—This has been true of religious insti¬ 
tutions—Of political institutions in America—Permanent need makes 
j^ermanent institutions—The Order of Patrons answers a permanent 
demand for intelligence, culture, and combination. 

CHAPTER I. 

ORIGIN OF THE ORDER. 9 

The original Author of the Idea—The six friends with whom he worked it 
out—Character of the Seven Founders—They take a year to work out 
the Plan—T. B. Bryant, of Chicago, aids with funds—The compilation 
of the 1st degree—Circulars inviting aid, suggestions, and a name for 
the Order—“ Patrons of Husbandry ” selected out of forty names pre¬ 
sented—Place of meeting termed Grange—O rigin of that term, its 
appropriateness and correct use. 

CHAPTER 11. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE. 12 

Occurred Dec. 4th, 1867—Members present from various States—Their 
deliberations—Names of Officers—Elected for five years, at first—The 
Preamble containing the principles and objects of the Order—Organized 
into Subordinate, State, and National Grange-Degrees special to each— 
Explanation of the Degrees—They represent different stages of human 
progress, from the ignorant savage to the educated master and intelli¬ 
gent citizen. 

CHAPTER HI. 

COMPLETE HISTORY FROM ITS ORGANIZATION. 16 

Subordinate Grange organized—The Circular of Jan., 1868—Explanation 
of aims—Of Objects of Secrecy—The reason for admitting women— 
The co-operative objects and their importance to the farmer—Political 
and religious questions tabooed—Advance of the work—Officers had no 
compensation—Mr. Kelley resigns his clerkship, and sets out on an 
organizing tour—Successes and discouragements—Makes his home in 
Minn.—Successive Organizations—Removes to Washington in 1871— 
Re-organization in 1873, at First Meeting of National Grange of Dele¬ 
gates from State Granges—New Constitution and By-Laws—Unselfish 
conduct of the Seven Founders—Names of Members attending this 
1 neet i ng—Offi cers (*1 eel ed. 






4 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER IV. 

SEVENTH SESSION OF NATIONAL GRANGE. 22 

Met Feb. 4tli, 1874, at St. Louis, Mo.—List of Delegates—They represent 
thirty-two States, two Territories, and Canada—Fraternal character of 
the meeting—Important questions considered—Amendments to the Con¬ 
stitution—An affecting incident—Florida and Vermont join hands. 

CHAPTER V. 

DECLARATION OF PURPOSES BY SEVENTH NATIONAL GRANGE. 25 
Preamble—General Objects, the good of the Order, the country, and man¬ 
kind—Specific Objects, intercourse and co-operation for mutual increase 
in culture, happiness, and success in business—Business Relations, aim 
to bring producer and consumer into speedy and economic contact, to 
get free from the control of, but to seek friendly relations with, trans¬ 
portation compank^s on terms mutually and equally profitable, not 
o]qiosed to Railroads, but to monopolies and oppression—Education 
earnestly sought, especially agricultural—There are no partisan, politi¬ 
cal, or sectional aims in the Grange—The co-operation of those wiiose 
calling does not make them eligible to membership cordially invited 
in aid of all reform movements for the general good—All assistance 
afforded to the suffering, and all the aid to be obtained from the insight, 
influence, and refinement of w^oman eagerly sought by admitting her to 
membership and office. 

CHAPTER VI. 

STATISTICS OF THE ORDER APRIL IST, 1874. 29 

Number of Granges in each State —Number of Members in all the States— 
Number in low'a—Date of Organizations of each State Grange, and 
first Master appointed. 

• (VIIAPTKR YTI. 

RAPID GROWTH. 31 

Organization promoted by means of Deputies—The honor due these men— 
Farmers slow to accept novelties—When its value was comprehended 
their enthusiasm w’as surprising—Its rapid spread a surprise to business 
men and statesmen, whom it sometimes alarms as w'ell—Reticence of 
the leaders of the Order—They avoid declamation, and, instead of talk¬ 
ing, act —No official paper—Mode of circulating information—System 
of Ri'ports adopted by Seventli National Grange. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

woman’s position IN THE ORDER. 33 

Is it a “Woman’s Rights” Institution?—Woman is Man’s equal in the 
Grange, if her capacity is equal—She may speak, vote, and exert her 
full influence—Value of the Grange to the Farmer’s wdfe—Her intel¬ 
lect and social needs equally supplied. 






CONTENTS. 


5 


CHAPTER IX. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 34 

Extreme importance of Co-operation to the interests of the Farmer—As¬ 
serts a prominent place in the Order by its own weight—Method of 
Co-operation adopted by the Order described—Advantages to buyer and 
manufacturer over the old system—Only a State or National Organiza¬ 
tion could produce a change—A farmer’s produce under the old sj^stem 
traced, and contrasted with the simpler and more economical Co-opera¬ 
tive method—Iowa has led in Co-operation, but other States threaten to 
take the Banner—Report of Committee to Fourth National Grange— 
Patrons’ System encourages Home Manufactures. 

CHAPTER X. 

RELATION TO POLITICS. 37 

Has been declared a political engine by its enemies—Reasons why that is 
impossible—Illustration from Iowa Legislature—Yet it will certainly 
greatly influence and elevate legislation—Is above partisan views and 
conflicts. 

CHAPTER XL 

RELATION TO RAILROADS. 39 

Farmers, above all others, interested in Railroads—They freely acknowl¬ 
edge their value to business and civilization—They object to Fraud in 
railway building—Tendency of these corporations to opiu-ess the peo¬ 
ple—Statement of real and assumed cost of Railroads in Iowa—Other 
statements—Burdens laid on the Farmer—How the controversy will 
probably be settled to the satisfaction and advantage of all. 

CHAPTEE XII. 

DANGERS TO THE ORDER. 41 

Will the Farmers be able to manage their own business ? or must they do 
the work while others reap the benefit ?—There is danger from the selfish 
and ambitious—The Order is wisely Conservative, and will succeed. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE FUTURE OF THE ORDER. 42 

Its origin humble, but its roots strike deep—The great and noble work it 
has undertaken—This work accomplished will be the glory of our gen¬ 
eration and country—It will destroy no good, but will promote the wel¬ 
fare of all honest men and professions—The Order will clothe the 
Farmer’s life with the happiness, beauty, independence and dignity sung 
of him by the poets, and thereby purify and maintain Republican Insti¬ 
tutions and bless the World. 







INTRODUCTION. 


law is more clearly defined than this: every healthy and 
legitimate need, either in the moral, political or material world, 
is but a prophecy of the time to come when that want shall be 
met. Evils growing out of the undeveloped conditions of 
humanity may be slow in changing; but the student of history 
can but know that, in God’s own time, and in the endless 
progress of events, the good for which man becomes prepared 
will come to him. All history teaches that there come times 
when new institutions are needed; when the old order of things, 
having served its time and purpose, must give way to the new 
and more perfect, which takes its place — born of a higher 
condition. 

When the religion which was the outgrowth of the Mosaic 
dispensation — well suited as it was to the material age which 
it ruled, and to the condition of the generations which it 
instructed — had served its purpose, the Great Teacher came 
with a higher faith, adapted to the clearei* perceptions and 
nobler capacities of humanity. Again, when this faitli, 
through corruption and bigotry, failed to meet the require¬ 
ments of a more advanced order of civilization, tlie ICeforma- 
tion made another step in the world’s progress. 

The feudal tyranny of Great Britain drove to the blvak shores 
of N^ew England a class of men in whom the divine instinct ot 
freedom could not be destroyed. The element of iiidividua) 
freedom could not grow in the land of their birth, and they, 
in obedience to this law of human progress, gave to us, their 
children, democratic republicanism in America. E^•eu here, 
with all the advantages of free institutions, with all the justice 
of a free government, our nation’s history has been marked by 
epochs in which institutions were created to meet the recpiire- 
ments of progress. Our short history has taught, us that there 

( 6 ) 



INl'KonuCTION. 


7 


is no standing still. Whenever there is no advancement decay 
begins, and it is only by adapting institutions to the advanced 
growth of mind that a nation can perpetuate itself. The con¬ 
stitution and laws of our early history must conform to the 
advanced thought of to-day, or we shall fall behind in the race 
of civilization. 

The history of institutions which have had a short and tran¬ 
sient existence, when studied, will show that they originated 
in the whim or fancy of individuals, or were founded for some 
specific purpose ephemeral in its character. While, on the 
other hand, institutions or organizations having their founda¬ 
tion in human needs and demanded by the new conditions and 
advancement of the age, are permanent and lasting. Among 
those of the latter class may be placed the organization known 
as the Patrons of Husbandry. 

The dignity of Labor and the nol)le calling of the Husband¬ 
man had long been a pleasant fiction of the Poets and Orators 
lacking a practical knowledge of the stern realities of agricul¬ 
tural life. Periodically the politician, desiring to serve the 
people in the Halls of Legislation, and the capitalist, who 
wished the votes or the moral support of the Agricultural 
Citizens, talked of the independence and nobility of the farmer’s 
life. But the unfortunate fact remained l)ehind all this service 
rendered that the producing classes did not fill the places in 
the public economy of our Nation to which they were entitled, 
and which was as necessary to its purity and dignity as to their 
welfare. 

A Country like this, eminently a producing one, where agri¬ 
culture in its different forms is the foundation of tlie social 
and financial structure, needs a class of tanners as wise, intel¬ 
ligent and cultivated as any part of its people. Agricultural 
prosperity, not to speak of the safety of oui institutions, 
depends upon this. The farmer must not only know how to 
reach the highest and most intelligent results in the wayof 
production, l)ut he must also add to this wide range of knowl¬ 
edge the education of the merchant, to enable him to buy and 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


sell; of the statesman, that he may vote wisely; of the lawyer, 
that he may both criticise and use the laws. 

The agriculturist, like the mechanic, the artist, the scientist, 
the politician and theologian must of necessity obey the Law 
of Progress. 

Our professional men must be educated men. They must 
not only be able to do, but know why they do, and in their 
several callings or fields of labor continually keep pace with 
the advanced knowledge of the time; but the man of the 
broadest and most general education should be the farmer, 
because his success requires a wider range of knowledge, and 
a sound and accurate judgment of principles and facts in differ¬ 
ent fields. Heretofore there has been but little systematized 
effort in the direction of exact scientific as well as practical 
education among agriculturists that at all met the necessities 
of the case. 

Our agricultural colleges, with few exceptions, have failed 
to satisfy the expectation of their friends, and the producer has 
been left at the mercy of circumstances, and to gather such 
knowledge as his limited observation and individual experience 
supplied. 

All the members of other callings and professions combine 
for the welfare of the class, and bring into the common fund 
their united experience and infiuence, thus enabling all to 
reach the best and highest results. Heretofore little has been 
done in this direction by the producing classes, and the state¬ 
ment should not seem strange that there is now^ an imperative 
need for it among them. It is only by co-operation that the 
wished for results can be attained, and the time has come when 
not only the welfare of the Agricultural classes themselves, 
but the safety and prosperity of our government demands some 
organization which shall educate, elevate and strengthen a class 
which has hitherto been so much neglected. 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


CHAPTER I. 

ORIGIN OF THE ORDER. 

In 186() Mr. O. H. Kelley, a farmer and resident of Minno 
sota, received an appointment in Wasliington, and after a trip 
through the South, conceived the idea that some plan might be 
devised to unite together the different agricnltnral societies 
and enable them to, by co-operation, aid each other. 

He submitted liis thoughts to AVilliam Saunders, A. B. 
Grosh, John Trimble, Jr., John Ireland, T. M. McDonald and 
J. R. Thompson. The subject was thoroughly discussed at 
different times, and the (piestion ever I’ecurring was, "AV^hy 
cannot the farmers, both North and South, unite in the same 
manner as the Masons and Odd Fellows, who have clung 
together for so long a period, for social and educational pur¬ 
poses, with a view to promote their common interest.” 

It was felt that the time for some such organization had 
come; and they set themselves earnestly to the task of working 
out the fundamental idea in practical and tangible shape. Tliey 
clearly saw" that to do this required great energy, untiring 
labor, and much self-sacrihce. They were all of them men 
eminently fitted for the work they desired to accomplish. Mr. 
Saunders had a national reputation fen* marked ability in his 
chosen profession as a horticulturist, and no man stood higher 
for integrity of character. Mi*. Grosh, long know’ii in connection 
with Odd Fellowship, and Mr. Kelley, witli his untiring energy 
of purpose and enthusiasm, were all members of high rank in 
secret, social and benevolent societies, and therefore proficients 

(9) 



10 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


ill ritualism; while all were gentlemen of education and refine¬ 
ment. Each seemed fitted for a work of this character, and 
comprehended fully the needs in this direction. During the 
early period of the work the difficulties they met with would 
have disheartened most men. None of them were wealthy, 
and money was needed. This they freely gave as their means 
would permit. They were also aided by others who sympa- 
tliized with their aims. Thomas E. Bryant, of Chicago, for 
instance, early in the organization felt deeply its necessity, 
urged strongly its merits, and gave liberally of his means while 
yet the Order was in its greatest straits. At various times 
funds were supplied by this gentleman when urgently needed; 
and they possessed the merit of being earned in legitimate and 
honorable business pursuits. Among others who early gave 
their influence and aid to the movement, were Anson Bartlett, 
of Oliio, and Win. Muir, of Mo., the eminent Horticulturist. 

Frequent meetings for consultation were held. The ground 
work was commenced, and finally Messrs. Kelley and Ireland, 
on the the 5th of August, 1867, at their quarters at U. S. Hotel 
in Washington, acting upon the suggestions offered at former 
meetings, compiled and worked out a draft of the first degree 
of the Order. 

It is said that each of the seven founders also prepared a 
portion and at the next meeting for consultation submitted it 
for the consideration of all. 

After the work was well begun, at one of the meetings, the 
question was suggested as to whether, after all their labor and 
toil, they would not be forgotten. 

It must be a source of gratification to these noble men that 
now, when the work is assured, a grateful Brotherhood does not 
fail to remember, with full appreciation, the self-denial and 
persistent effort of the founders of the Order. 

In September, a circular was prepared by the leaders in the 
movement and sent out to individuals prominent in agriculture. 
Tlie document stated what had been, so far, done towards 
organizing the system for association and co-operation; sug- 


0RK4TN OF THE ORDER. 


11 


gestions were asked for; and among other things, as to the 
proper name to be adopted in case the project met with approval. 
Responses came which, as a rule, were favorable to the plan 
contemplated; and the work on the ritual at last became so far 
advanced that it was imperative that a fitting and significant 
name should be decided on for the new Order, still, as it were, 
in embryo. 

About forty names were, in all, received for consideration. 
The name under which the Order has since become famous, 
and which is so expressive of the true nature of the associa¬ 
tion — Patrons of Husbandry ” — was happily adopted as the 
name of the Order, and the title of the members^—while 
another term equally expressive was needed to indicate the 
Hall or place of meeting; and thus the word Grange was 
wedded to enduring fame. 

It should be borne in mind that Grange is the name of the 
place of meeting and not the name of the Order. The word 
signifies simply a farm. 

In England ‘‘Grange” is generally used to signify an old 
farm, or manor house, surrounded by ancient trees, and some¬ 
times by a moat or ditch. 

During the civil wars which devastated England two centu¬ 
ries ago, these manor houses and farm strongholds were made 
the scenes of bitter strife between contending factions, and 
were often stubbornly defended. 

Hence the term may be liberally construed'as “ stronghold,” 
happily expressive of the sense in which the Patrons of Hus¬ 
bandry use it. 

It would be well for all to remember this fact, and not misuse 
the English language by calling the individuals Grangers. The 
individual^ is a Patron of Husbandry. The place of meeting., 
a Grange. 


CHAPTEH IT. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE. 

On the fourth day of December, 1807, the National Grange 
was organized, at the office of Mr. William Saunders, in Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., less than twenty members being present. But 
there were individuals from the various States who were each 
moved by the same strong desire to draw together tlie agricul¬ 
tural masses throughout the whole country; and to endeavor, 
by precept and example, to impress on them the necessity of 
such a thorough organization as should enable the fraternity to 
counteract the influences which had long been at work to 
depress, rather than elevate, the producing classes. 

After a free and most earnest discussion of the means best 
adapted to forward the project, it was determined to organize 
the National Grange, and at once proceed to carry forward the 
work by a complete and thorough organization in the several 
States. 

The following officers were elected for tlie first term: 

Master —William Saunders, Washington, D. C. 

Overseer —Anson Bartlett, of Ohio. 

Lecturer —J. R. Thompson, of Yermont. 

Steward —Win. Muir, of Pennsylvania. 

AssH. Stevjard —A. L. Moss, of New' York. 

Chaplain —Rev. A. B. Grosh, of Pennsylvania. 

Treasurer —MIm. M. Ireland, of Pennsylvania. 

Secretary —O. II. Kelley, of Minnesota. 

Gate Keeper —Edward P. Farris, of Illinois. 

In the discussion of Avays and means it Avas decided that 
this election should be for five years; rightly thinking that at 
the end of that time all Avould be better able to judge of the 
expediency of a longer or sliorter term of office. The folloAv- 
ing is the preamble, Avith the names of the degrees of the Sub¬ 
ordinate, State, and National Grange: 

PKEAMBLE. 

“ Human happiness is the acme of earthlv ambition. Indi- 

< 12 ) 


ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE. 


1 ?) 


vidual happiness depends upon general prosperity. The pros¬ 
perity of a nation is in proportion to the value of its productions. 
The soil is the source from whence we derive all that constitutes 
wealth; without it we would have no agriculture, no manufac¬ 
tures, no commerce. Of all the material gifts of the creator, 
the various productions of the vegetable world are of the first 
importance. The art of agricailture is the parent and precur¬ 
sor of all arts, and its products the foundation of all wealth.’^ 

The productions of the earth are sul)ject to the influence of 
natural laws, invariable and indisputalile; the amount pro¬ 
duced will consequently he in proportion to the intelligence 
of the producer, and success will depend upon his knowledge 
of the action of these laws, and the proper application of their 
principles. Hence, knowledge is the foundation of happiness. 

The ultimate object of this organization is for mutual instruc¬ 
tion and protection, to lighten labor by diffusing a knowledge 
of its aims and purposes, expand the mind by tracing the beau¬ 
tiful laws the Great Creator has established in the Universe, 
and to enlarge our views of creative Wisdom and Power. To 
those who read aright, history proves that in all ages society 
is fragmentary, and successful results of general welfare can 
be secured only by general effort. 

Unity of action cannot be acquired without discipline, and 
discipline cannot be enforced without significant organization, 
hence we have a ceremony of initiation which binds us in 
mutual fraternity as with a band of iron; but although its influ¬ 
ence is so powerful, its ajiplication is as gentle as that oY the 
silken thread that binds a wreath of flowers. 

The Patrons of Husbandry consist of the following: 

ORGANIZATION. 

SUBORDINATE GRANGES. 

First degree: Laborer (man). Maid (woman). 

Second degree: Cultivator (man), Shepherdess (woman). 

Third degree: Harvester (man). Gleaner (woman). 

Fourth degree: Husbandman (man). Matron woman). 


14 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


STATE ORANGE. 

Fifth degree: Pomona (Hope). 

Composed of Masters of Subordinate Granges, and their 
wives who are Matrons. Past Masters and tlieir wives who are 
Matrons shall be Honorary members, and eligible to uthce, but 
not entitled to vote. 

NATIONAL GRANGE. 

Sixth degree: Flora (Charity). 

Composed of Masters of State Granges and their wives who 
have taken the degree of Pomona. Past Masters of State 
Granges, and their wives who have taken said degree of 
Pomona, shall be Honorary members and eligible to office, but 
not entitled to vote. 

Seventh degree: Ceres (Faith). 

Members of the National Grange who have served one year 
therein may become members of this degree on application and 
election. It shall have charge of the secret work of the order, 
and shall be a court of impeachment of all officers of the 
National Grange. 

Members of this degree are Honorary members of the 
National Grange, and eligible to office therein, but not entitled 
to vote. 

Each Grange, whether Subordinate, State, or National, is 
intended to represent a farm or family, with all its departments 
of work and production. 

In the First degree is represented the condition of Material 
Labor. In the beginning man is uncultivated and has but a 
limited amount ot knowledge; he must be directed by a more 
advanced intelligence to make his labor productive. Burdened 
wdth toil he seeks for a higher condition in life. Having 
neither flocks nor herds he must depend on the labor of his 
hands alone. Commencing at the state of primeval man, he 
gains but a precarious subsistence, and his mental growth is 
necessarily slow. But. stimulated by the hope of bettering his 
condition, he struggles u])ward, being taught that the faithful 
laborer is worthy of a rich reward foi’ his labor. 


ORGANIZATION f)F THE NATIONAL GRANGE. 


15 


Tlie Second degree, Cultivator, represents the man and 
woman rising slowly in intelligence; they gather flocks and 
lierds about them, and begin to emerge from the primeval 
state; the light of intelligence begins to dawn; tliey learn to 
cultivate the soil and make the eartli minister to their neces¬ 
sities. 

In the next degree he seeks a more settled mode of life. At 
this stage men gather into communities and begin to make 
laws for the general welfare; they also begin to respect the 
rights of their fellow men, and to gather in the harvests tliey 
have planted. Finally, after the cultivation of the preceding 
conditions, man comes to the condition of Husbandman. Here 
he is fitted to enjoy in a high degree the freedom and blessings 
of agricultural life. He, in connection with the Matron, hav¬ 
ing proved faithful in all preceding conditions, is fitted to enjoy 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Educated labor 
here brings its reward; and the intellect and moral nature are 
made to perform their part, as well as the labor of the hands. 

Passing beyond this we come to the degree of Pomona. 
Here the Fruits come to add to the comfort and enjoyments 
of life already rich in blessings. 

We now come to the region of Flowers—the degree of Flora. 
The senses are here gratified by the most beautiful of all 
nature’s creations. Hone of deep feelings and high aims can 
stand before these most wondrous works of God without hav¬ 
ing awakened in the heart a feeling of reverence. 

Next we come to the region of Faith. Here the whole nature 
of man has received that complete and careful education which 
fits him for the high position his calling demands. Beginning 
a rude, uncultivated creature, he has learned the lesson of 
material labor, has brought to aid him domestic animals, has 
learned to plant and have his fields respected, to gather in 
peace his Harvest, has learned to appreciate the nobility of his 
calling as a husbandman, has brought to his aid the fruits 
of the earth, has added to all tliese that high moral culture 
which conies from beautiful creations, and iinally, fitted and 


16 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


prepared by intellectual training, lias become a harmonious 
being; incarnating in bis own nature all the attributes of man 
—vitalized and puribed by the divine spirit of Deity. 

Man is no longer a barbarian, for he has property and 
respects the property of others—comprehends and appreciates 
the dignity of educated labor—has civil lights and is fitted to 
become, in its highest sense, a citizen. 

Such was the general scope and intention of the men who 
originated this movement, and they have so far steadily labored 
to carry out and perfect it. In this work they have lieen sus¬ 
tained by the best minds of our country. 


CHAPTER III. 

HISTORY FROM THE OROAJMIZATION OF THE 

natiointal grange. 

Soon after the organization of the parent, or National Grange, 
a Subordinate Grange was organized in Washington. This was 
intended as a schoool of instruction, and to test tlie efficiency 
of the ritual, which was found to work satisfactorily, so far as 
it had been completed. In January a second circular was 
issued to the different States, in which the objects of the order 
were announced, as follows: 

“ It is evident to all intelligent minds that the time has 
come when those engaged in rural pursuits should have an 
organization, devoted entirely to their interests. Such it is 
intended to make the Order of Patrons. It was instituted in 
1867, and is destined to be one of the most powerful organiza¬ 
tions in the Uni ted States. Its grand objects are not only 
general improvement in husbandry, Imt to increase the general 
happiness, wealth, and prosperity ot the country. It is 
founded on the axioms tliat the products of the soil are the 
basis of all wealth—that individual happiness depends upon 
general prosperity, and that the wealth of a country depends 
upon the general intelligence and mental culture ot the pro- 



HISTORY FROM THE ORGANIZATION. 


17 


diiciiig classes. In tlie meetings of the order all but members 
are excluded, and there is in its proceedings a symbolized 
ritual, pleasing, l)eautiful, and appropriate, which is designed 
not only to charm the fancy, but to cultivate and enlarge the 
mind and purify the heart, having at the same time strict 
adaptation to rural pursuits. 

“The secrecy of the ritual and proceedings of the order have 
been adopted chiefly for the purpose of accomplishing desired 
efiiciency, extension, and unity, and to secure among its mem¬ 
bers, in the internal working of the order, confldence, har¬ 
mony, and security. 

“ Women are admitted to full membership, and we solicit 
the co-operation of women because of a conviction that with¬ 
out her aid success will be less certain and decided. Much 
niiglit be said in this connection, but every husband and 
brother knows that where he can be accompanied by his wife 
or sister no lessons will be learned but those of purity and 
truth. 

“ The Order of the Patrons of Husbandry will accomplish a 
thorough and systematic organization among farmers and 
horticulturists throughout the United States, and will secure 
among them intimate social relations and acquaintance with 
each other, for the advancement and elevation of their pursuits, 
with an appreciation and protection of their true interests, 

“ By such means may be accomplished tliat which exists 
throughout the country in all other avocations and among all 
other classes— cornhmed co-operatim associationfor individual 
improvement and common henefit. 

J^mong the advantages which may be derived from the Order 
are systematic arrangements for procuring and disseminating, 
in the most expeditious manner, information relative to crops, 
demand and supply, ])rices, markets, and transpoi’tation 
throughout the country; also for the purchase and exchange 
of stock, seeds, and desired v^arieties of plants and trees, and 
for the purpose of procuring help at home or from abroad, and 
situations for persons seeking employment; also for ascertain 


18 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


ing and testing the merits of newly discovered farming imple¬ 
ments and those not in general use, and for detecting and 
exposing those that are unworthy, and for protecting, by all 
available means, the farming interests from fraud and decep¬ 
tion, and combinations of every kind. 

‘"We ignore all political or religious discussions in the Order: 
we do not solicit the patronage of any sect, association, or indi¬ 
vidual, upon any grounds whatever, except upon the intrinsic 
merits of the Order. 

“ The better to secure greater benelits to our members, we 
desire to establish Granges in every city, town, and village in 
the United States.” 

CARRYING FORWARD THE WORK. 

Some three months after the organization of the National 
Grange the founders set themselves earnestly at work to carry 
it into practical operation. Hitherto the money used had been 
freely given by the friends of the new Order. These gentle¬ 
men were not wealthy, and the money already advanced had 
been a heavy drain upon them. They were in debt for print¬ 
ing; much progress had been made through the circulars sent 
out, and the personal efibrts of members; but all that had been 
done was simply preparing the ground for the seed. The seed 
must be planted or they could not hope to reap the harvest. 

To create new Granges it was necessary that persons familiar 
with the work should visit the different parts of the country, 
and meet with the new candidates, bring the subject before the 
people, and establish new organizations. The officers received 
no compensation^ and the question arose—How could the 
money be raised to carry forward the work? Mr. Kelley, the 
Secretary, was found equal to the emergency, and was even 
confident that he could make his ordinary traveling expenses 
from the fees derived from the granting of dispensations. It 
was therefore decided to send him out. Hopeful and enthusi¬ 
astic, Mr. Kelley resigned his clerkship in the P. O. Depart¬ 
ment. 

Being furnished with a general letter of introduction and 


HISTORY FROM ITS ORGANIZATION. 


19 


authority to organize subordinate Grranges, Harrisburg, Penn., 
was selected as the first place of trial. Few men would have 
left a lucrative office for the uncertainties which were before 
him. He carried nothing with him but his unwavering faith 
and enthusiasm, and the prayers and best wishes of the brothers 
left behind. Reaching Harrisburg he interested a sufficient 
number to organize a Grange; and here his first dispensation 
was issued. Leaving this point he talked when opportunity 
offered, sometimes meeting with considerable sympathy, but 
more frequently with discouragement. It is not surprising 
that this should be so; farmers are, as a class, the most conser¬ 
vative of any, and are, as a rule, disposed to lookwitli but little 
favor on any new or untried measure. The isolation of his life 
produces it, and until you can convince his understanding he 
will not be likely to accept any new plan, although it may be 
urged that it is for his highest good. The history of the Order 
will show that the principal obstacles to its early advancement 
were with the farmers themselves. The cause may be found 
in the fact that they needed educating up to an appreciation 
not only of their own wants but also of the benefits it would 
bring. Still pressing forward, Mr. Kelley reached Fredonia, 
Hew York, where his second dispensation was issued. His 
third was at Columbus, Ohio, and fourth at Chicago. It may 
be well here to remark that the first idea was that Granges 
should be organized in towns, and would from these spread to 
the country. Experience has proven that this view was not 
correct. Those who are now old workers avoid the towns, later 
observation and experience having shown that the country alone 
is the true home of the Grange. Of the first four Granges 
organized by Mr. Kelley, but two grew up to vigor and effici¬ 
ency. From Chicago Mr. Kelley went into Minnesota, in 
which State his farm was situated. In this great, growing 
State he met with better success, organizing six Granges— 
making ten in all during this trip; and one of them, it is said, 
has never missed a meeting since its organization. It is, per¬ 
haps, the model Grange of the State. By this time the Order, 


20 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


though small and weak in numbers, began to provoke the oppo¬ 
sition of journals devoted to corporations, who feared its growth 
might render some of their plans unsafe and uncertain. Even 
some religious journals denounced in strong terms the secresy 
of its ritual, forgetting that every family, every business lirm, 
is in some sense a secret society. 

Mr. Kelley made his home on his farm until the beginning 
of 1871, but continually traveled, talked, and wrote. Slowly 
the Order gained strength. Granges were organized in Iowa, 
Illinois, and Wisconsin. But these years were full of discour¬ 
agement. Men of less hopefulness and faith in its future than 
those engaged in it would have long before despaired. Mr. 
Kelley, in 1871, left his farm and removed his family to Wash¬ 
ington, where the head(]uarters of the Order were established. 

The following is the number of Granges organized each yeai- 
up to 1872: In 1868, ten; 1869, thirty-nine; 1870, thirty- 
nine; 1871, one hundred and five; 1872, one thousand one 
hundred and five. In January, 1873, the first meeting of the 
NationalGrange was held in Washington, where the represent¬ 
atives from the States, in the persons of the Masters of the 
State Granges, attended. This was a most important session, 
because the representatives, coming direct from the people, 
brought to the councils of the Order the sentiments of the 
people at home. Among the first committees appointed was 
one on Constitution and By-Laws. Heretofore the founders 
had made such laws as, in their judgment, the good of the 
Order demanded; but now the experience of five years was 
l)rought to bear, as well as the wisdom of the men and women 
selected by the members of the Order to aid in systematizing 
the work and adapting it to the wants of the people; and here 
comes in an incident which sets forth more clearly than any 
other the unselfish character of the men who originated the 
movement. The first Constitution gave the founders the abso¬ 
lute control of the organization. This was of necessity the 
case, for in the beginning they were the Order; they had a vote 
whether Masters of State Granges or not, and, under the Con- 


history from its ORGANTZATrON. 




stitiition then existing, conld, if they cliose, exercise a control¬ 
ling influence. But at this meeting they said to the represent¬ 
atives from the States, Make such a Constitution and such 
Bj’-Laws as, in your judgment, the good of the Order requires, 
and we will endorse it. We have worked to build up an insti¬ 
tution which in our judgment was absolutely needed, and now 
all we ask is that you shall legislate for its future good.” 

The proposition was received in the same generous spirit in 
which it was oftered, and a new Constitution was adopted, 
which confined the voting members to the acting Masters of 
the several State Granges and their wives. All the founders 
voted for its adoption; thus cutting themselves off from’ any 
future vote in that body. History scarcely furnishes a parallel 
instance of fidelity to a principle. It is, however, gratifying 
to know that at the seventh annual meeting a proposition was 
adopted to make the seven founders of the Order life-members, 
and the measure is submitted to the sevei*al State Granges for 
their approval. Under the flrst Constitution the term of offlce 
of the officers of the National Grange was five years. At the 
seventh session it was reduced to three, and many important 
alterations were made as suggested by the experience of the 
past. 

Names of members attending the sixth annual session of the 
National Grange: 

G. W. Thompson, New Jersey; Wm. B. Porter, Nebraska; 
E. B. Shankland, Iowa; O. Dinwiddle, Indiana; Joseph Sey¬ 
mour, New York; F. M. McDowell, New York; A. B. Grosh, 
Washington, D. C.; D. A. Eobertson, Minnesota; Wm. Duane 
Wilson, Iowa; J. C. Abbott, Iowa; John Cochrane, Wiscon¬ 
sin; T. A. Thompson, Minnesota; John Trimble, Jr., Wash¬ 
ington, D. C.; A. J. Yaughan, Miss.; Thomas Taylor. South 
Carolina; J. E. Thompson, Washington, D. C.; A. Golder, 
Illinois; D. S. Curtis, Washington, D. C.; Master Wm. Saun¬ 
ders, Washington, D. C.; Secretary O. H. Eelley, Washing¬ 
ton, I). C.; D. WYatt Aiken, South Carolina; D. W. Adams, 
Iowa; T. E. Allen, Mo. 


22 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


Officers of National Grange elected at Sixth Annual Session: 
Worthy Master —Dudley W. Adams, Iowa. 

Overseer —Thomas Taylor, S. Carolina. 

Lecturer —T. A. Thompson, Minn. 

Steward —A. J. Yaughan, Miss. 

Assistant Steward —G. W. Thompson, N. J. 

Chaplain —A. B. Grosh, D. C. 

Treasurer —F. M. McDowell, N. Y. 

Secretary —O. H. Kelley, D. C. 

Gate-Keeper —O. Dinwiddle, Ind. 

Ceres —Mrs. D. W. Adams, Iowa. 

Pomona —Mrs. O. H. Kelley, D. C. 

Flora —Mrs. J. C. Abbott, Iowa. 

Lady Assistant Steward —Miss G. A. Hall, D. C. 


CHAPTEK lY. 

SEYENTH SESSION OF THE NATIONAL GKANGE. 

On Feb. 4th, 1874, the seventh annual session of the 
National Grange convened at St. Louis. There were repre¬ 
sented thirty-two States, two Territories, and the Dominion of 
Canada. The following is a list of the Delegates: 

Joseph T. Moore, Md.; Mrs. J. T. Moore, Md.; A. J. 
Yaughan, Tenn.; Mrs. A. J. Yaughan, Tenn.; D. W. Aiken, S. 
C.; T. A. Thompson, Minn.; Mrs. T. A. Thompson, Minn.; 
A. Golder, Ill.; E. P. Colton, Yt.; Mrs. A. A. Colton, Yt.; 
H. W. L. Lewis, Miss.; T. L. Allis, Mass.; S. F. Browm, Mich.; 
J. G. Parsons, Minn.; Mrs. Sophia Parsons, Minn.; D. T. 
Chase, N. H.; Mrs. S. P. Chase, N. H.; E. Howland, N. J./ 
Mary Howland, N. J.; George D. Hinckley, N. Y.; Columbus 
Mills, N. C.; Mrs. C. Mills, N. C.; S. H. Ellis, Ohio; Daniel 
Clark, Oregon; D. B. Manger, Penn.; Wm. Maxwell, Tenn.; 
Mrs. W. Maxwell, Tenn.; J. YC White, Yirginia; B. M. 
Kitchen, W. Yirginia; E. B. Crew, Dacotah; A. B. Smedley, 
Iowa; Mrs. S. J. Smedley, Iowa; T. K. Allen, Mo.; K. O. 



SEVENTH SESSION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE. 


23 


Temiy, Colorado; J. W. A. Wright, CaL; Daniel Worthing¬ 
ton, Ill.; Jas. Seymour, N. Y.; G. W. Thompson, N. J.; Thos. 
Taylor, S. C.; Mrs. T. Taylor, S. C.; W. B. Porter, Neb.; Mrs. 
W. B. Porter, Neb.; Jno. Cochrane, Wis.; A. B. Grosh, D. 
C.; D. S. Curtis, D. C.; Miss C. A. Hall, D. C.; W. H. 
Chambers, Ala.; Jno. T. Jones, Ark.; J. M. Hamilton, Cal.; 

B. F. Wardlaw, Fla.; T. J. Smith, Ga.; Mrs. M. Smith, Ga.; 
Hendley James, Ind.; M. E. Hudson, Kan.; M. D. Davie, Ky.; 
Wm. Saunders, D. C.; Win. Muir, Mo.; W. M. Ireland, D. 

C. ; Jno. Trimble, Jr., Georgetown, D. C.; W. D. Wilson, 
Iowa; O. H. Kelley, D. C.; Mrs. O. H. Kelley, D. C.; John 
Weir, Ind.; Mrs. John Weir, Ind.; J. K. Thompson, D. C.; 
F. H. Dumbaiild, Kan.; D. W. Adams, Iowa; Mrs. D. W. 
Adams, Iowa; F. M. McDowell, N. Y.; E. B. Shankland, 
Iowa; O. Dinwiddle, Ind. 

When we take into consideration the fact that these people 
were mostly strangers to each other, that they represented a 
wide diversity of locality and interest, that owing to the w^ar 
there were strong prejudices between the different sections of 
the country, it is not surprising that the leaders of the move¬ 
ment as well as the most of the men assembled there, looked 
forward to the session with some degree of anxiety. The ques¬ 
tion to be settled w^as whether the fraternal principles of the 
order were strong enough to assimilate and harmonize the 
various interests and sentiments that might be supposed to 
exist. The session lasted nine days; and if there had been any 
doubt as to the power of the order as a harmonizing force, it 
was effectually dispelled. During the whole session, and the 
earnest discussion of questions and measures of vital interest, 
there was no word spoken or sentiment expressed but such as 
might spring from hearts thoroughly imbued with the spirit 
of fraternal regard. 

Experience has, shown that the constitution needed some 
changes to meet the growing wants. And the questions of 
Transportation, Public Improvements, Finance, Exchange of 
Products and Co-operation were carefully considered. Amend- 


24 


PATRONS OF IIFSBANDRY. 


ments to the constitution were also adopted and sent to the 
States for ratification. 

A touching incident just at the close of the session, on the 
13 th, will serve to illustrate the sentiments which actuated the 
members. 

B. h\ Wardlaw, Master of the State Grange of Florida, spoke 
as follows: 

“AVorthy Master: Very soon the sound of your gavel will 
be heard, and the question asked our Worthy Ov^erseer, ‘Are 
the labors of the day completed?’ ‘Theyare, AVorthy Master.’ 
Then will the solemn significance of these words reverberating 
through this hall, perhaps for the last time, be felt by many of 
ns as never before, llow should it remind ns of the important 
necessity of prej^aring to meet where ])arting is no more. But, 
Worthy Master, many practical illustrations are afforded ns of 
a band of Brothers and Sisters, mingling together for days in 
the most agreeable social and friendly accord, gathered together 
as they have been in this hall from all quarters of the Union. 
We rejoice but to sorrow at the necessity of separation. Sad 
though the thought, it is a solemn truth that some of us will 
never meet again. It is gratifying, however, AA^orthy Master, to 
believe, as T honestly do, that this meeting, by its wide spread 
influence from north to south, from east to west, caps the last arch 
which spans the bloody chasm. And if my brother from Ver¬ 
mont will meet me on the floor of this hall, we will clasp hands 
with the Patron’s grip, silently invoking God’s Iflessing, illus¬ 
trating the truth that ‘United Ave stand, divided we fall.’ ” 

Here the representative from A^ermont came forward and 
extended his hand which was held in the fraternal clasp by 
the gentleman from Florida. 

For a few moments deep silence reigned in the hall, and the 
tear stained cheek of many indicated the strong feelings awak¬ 
ened by this significant scene. 

Mr. Ward law resumed his remarks as follows: “AVorthy 
Master, one word more and I am done. May we all proA^e 
worthy of our vocation, do all we can in accordance with the 


DKn.ARAl’TON OF PFRPOSES. 


principles of riglit to promote the good of our order, and may 
a kind, overruling Providence grant us a happy reunion in 
Charleston, South Carolina.” 

At 5 o’clock the Urange adjourned to meet at Charleston, 
on the tirst Wednesday in F'eb., 1875. 


CHAPTEK V. 

DECLAEATTON OF PURPOSES ADOPTED BY THE 
SEYENTH SESSION OF THE NATIONAl. GRANGE. 

PREAMBLE. 

Profoundly impressed with the truth that the National 
Grange of the United States should definitely proclaim to the 
world its general objects, we hereby unanimously make this 
Declaration of Purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry: 

GENERAL ORTECTS. 

1. United by^ the strong and faithful tie of Agriculture, we 
mutually resolve to labor for the good of our Order, our coun¬ 
try, and mankind. 

2. We heartily endorse the motto: In essentials unity; 
in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity.” 

SPECIFIC OB.TECTS. 

3. We shall endeavor to advance our cause by laboring to 
accomplish the following objects: 

To develop a better and higher manhood and womanhood 
among ourselves; to enhance the comforts and attractions of 
our homes, and strengthen our attachments to our pursuits; 
to foster mutual understanding and co-o])eration; to maintain 
inviolate onr laws, and to emulate each other in labor to hasten 
the good time coming; to reduce our expenses, both individual 
and corporate; to buy less and produce more, in order to make 
our farms self-sustaining; to diversify our crops, and crop no 
more than we can cultivate; to condense tlie weight of our 
exports, selling less in the bushel, and more on lioof and in 



26 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


fleece; to systematize our work and calculate intelligently on 
probabilities; to discountenance the credit system, the mort¬ 
gage system, the fashion system, and every other system tend¬ 
ing to prodigality and bankruptcy. 

We propose meeting together, talking together, working 
together, buying together, selling together, and, in general, act¬ 
ing together for our mutual protection and advancement as 
occasion may require. We shall avoid litigation as much as 
possible, by arbitration in the Grange. We shall constantly 
strive to secure entire harmony, good will, vital brotherhood 
among ourselves, and to make our Order perpetual. We shall 
earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional, and 
national prejudices, all unhealthy rivalry, and all selflsh ambi¬ 
tion. Faithful adherence to these principles will insure our 
mental, moral, social and material advancement. 

BUSINESS RELATIONS. 

4. For our business interests we desire to bring producers 
and consumers, farmers and manufacturers into the most direct 
and friendly relation possible. Hence we must dispense with 
a surplus of middlemen—not that we are unfriendly to them, 
but we do not need them. Their number and their exactions 
diminish our proflts. 

We wage no aggressive warfare against any other interests 
whatever. On the contrary, all our acts and all our eflbrts, so 
far as business is concerned, are not only for the benefit of the 
producer and consumer, but also for all other interests that tend 
to bring these two parties into speedy and economic contact. 
Hence we hold that transportation companies of every kind are 
necessary to our success; that their interests are intimately 
connected with our interests, and harmonious action is mutu¬ 
ally advantageous, keeping in view the first sentence in our 
declaration of principles of action, that Individual happiness 
depends upon general prosperity.” ^ 

We shall therefore advocate for every State the increase, in 
every practical way, of all facilities for transporting cheaply 
to the seaboard, or between home producers and consumers. 


DECLARATION OF PURT’OSES. 


27 


all the productions of our country. We adopt it as our fixed 
purpose to open out the channels in Nature’s great arteries. 
We are not enemies of railroads, navigable and irrigating canals, 
nor of any corporation that will advance our industrial inter¬ 
ests, nor of any laboring classes. 

In our noble Order there is no communism, no agrarianism. 
We are opposed to such spirit and management of any corpo¬ 
ration or enterprise as tends to oppress the people and rob them 
of their just profits. We are not enemies to capital, but we 
oppose the tyranny of monopolies. We long to see the antag¬ 
onism between capital and labor removed by common consent, 
and by an enlightened statesmanship worthy of the nineteenth 
century. We are opposed to excessive salaries, high rates of 
interest, and exorbitant per cent, profits in trade. They greatly 
increase our burdens, and do not bear a proper proportion to 
the profits of producers. We desire only self-protection and 
the protection of every true interest of our land by legitimate 
transactions, legitimate trade, and legitimate profits. 

EDUCATION. 

We shall advance the cause of education among ourselves 
and for our children by all just means within our power. We 
especially advocate for our agricultural and industrial colleges 
that practical agriculture, domestic science, and all the arts 
which adorn the home, be taught in their courses of study. 

THE GRANGE NOT PARTISAN. 

5. We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated 
truth taught in our organic law, that the Grange, National, 
State, or Subordinate, is not a political or party organization. 
No Grange, if true to its obligations, can discuss political or 
religious questions, nor call political conventions, nor nominate 
candidates, nor even discuss their merits in its meetings. 

Yet the principles we teach underlie all true politics, all true 
statesmanship, and, if properly carried out, will tend to purify 
the whole political atmosphere of our country; for we seek the 
greatest good to the greatest number. 


l^ATRDNS OF HUSBANDRY. 




We must always bear in mind tliat no one, by becoming a 
Patron of Husbandry, gives up that inalienable right and duty 
which belongs to every American citizen, to take a j^roper 
interest in the politics of his country. 

On the contrary, it is right for every member to do all in his 
power legitimately to influence for good the action of any 
political party to which he belongs. It is his duty to do all he 
can in his own party to put down bribery, corruption, and 
trickery; to see that none but competent, faithful, honest men, 
who will unflinchingly stand by our industrial interests are 
nominated for all positions of trust; and to have carried out 
the principle which should always characterize every Grange 
member that “The office should seek the man, and not the man 
the office.” 

We acknowledge the broad principle, that difference of 
opinion is no crime, and hold that “progress towards truth is 
made by differences of opinion,” while “ the fault lies in bitter¬ 
ness of controversy.” 

We desire a proper equality, equity and fairness; protection 
for the weak, restraint upon the strong; in short, justly distrib¬ 
uted burdens and justly distributed power. These are Amer¬ 
ican ideas—the very essence of American independence, and to 
advocate the contrary is unworthy the sons and daughters of 
the American Republic. 

We cherish the belief that sectionalism is, and of right 
should be, dead and buried with the past. Our word is for the 
])resent and the future. In our Agricultural Brotherhood and 
its purposes we shall recognize no north, no south, no east, no 
west. 

It is reserv^ed by every patron, as the right of a freeman, to 
affiliate with any party that will best carry out his principles. 

OUTSIDE CO-OPERATION. 

6. Ours being peculiarly a farmer’s institution, we cminot 
admit all to our ranks. 

Many are excluded by the nature of our organization—not 
because tliey are professional men. oi* artisans, or laborers, but 


STATISTICS OF THE ORDER. 


29 


because they have not a siifhciently direct interest in tilling 
or pasturing the soil, or may hav’^e some interest in conflict with 
our purposes. But wc appeal to all good citizens for their 
cordial co-operation to assist in our efforts towards reform, that 
we may eventually remove from our midst the last vestige of 
tyranny and corruption. 

We hail the general desire for fraternal harmony, equitable 
compromises, and earnest co-operation, as an omen of our 
future success. 

CONCLUSION. 

7. It shall be an abiding principle with us to relieve any 
of our oppressed and suffering brotherhood by any means at 
our command. 

Last—but not least—we proclaim it among our purposes to 
inculcate a proper appreciation of the abilities and sphere of 
woman, as is indicated by admitting her to membership and 
official position in our Order. 

Imploring the continued assistance of our Divine Master to 
guide us in our work, we here pledge ourselves to faithful and 
harmonious labor for all future time, to return by our united 
eflbrts to the wisdom, justice, fraternity, and political purity 
of our forefathers. 


CHAPTEE YI. 

STATISTICS OF THE OEDER. 

The following is a list of the number of Granges in the 


several States, as repor 

ted from 

the National Secretary’s 

office, 

March 31st, 1874. 
Alabama... 

.... 528 

Illinois...- 

.. 1,324 

Arkansas.. 

... 329 

Indiana. 

.. 1,763 

California.— 

... 164 

Iowa. 

1,955 

Connecticut... 

1 

Kansas.. 

..1,220 

Delaware... 

4 

Kentucky---- 

779 

Florida__ 

... 44 

Louisiana_ 

.. 96 

Georgia.-.. 

... 593 

Maine.-.- -- 

9 

















30 

PATRONS OF 

HUSBANDRY. 


Maryland.. 

_ 59 

South Carolina. ___ 

_ 259 

Massachusetts_ 

_ 38 

Tennessee__ 

_ 688 

Michigan.. 

.. 357 

Texas.. 

_ 262 

Minnesota.. 

.. 499 

Vermont... 

_ IOC 

Mississippi. 

_ 571 

Virginia .... 

_ 101 

Missouri..... 

..- 1,832 

West Virginia_ 

... 35 

Nebraska .. 

... 554 

Wisconsin_ 

_ 457 

New Hampshire .. 

_ 25 

Colorado__ 

_ 55 

New Jersey_ 

_ 75 

Dakota_ .. 

_ 49 

New York. 

_ 154 

Washington _ 

.. 23 

North Carolina.... 

.. 303 

Canada_ 

.. 12 

Ohio__ 

.. 761 

Idaho ... 

_ 2 

Oregon. 

.. 130 

Montana_ 

_ 9 

Pennsylvania.. 

.. 181 




Making in all 16,400 Subordinate Granges. The whole 
mimber of members at that date somewhat exceeded 1,000,000. 
Not far from one-tenth part of this number are in Iowa. 
Several other States are, however, rapidly approaching her in 
numbers. The Granges average 50 members each, as a gen¬ 
eral statement. ^ 

Below will be found the date of the organization of the sev¬ 
eral State Granges, and the name of the first Master elected: 
Alabama—Nov., 1873. W. H. Chambers. 

Arkansas—June, 1873. John T. Jones. 

California—Feb., 1873. J. W. A. Wright. 

Florida—Nov., 1873. B. T. Wardlaw. 

Georgia—Apr., 1873. T. J. Smith. 

Illinois—March, 1873. Alonzo Golder. 

Indiana- 1872. John Wier, 

Iowa—Jan., 1871. D. W. Adams. 

Kansas- 1872. F. H. Dumbald. 

Kentucky—Nov., 1873. M. D. Davie. 

Louisiana—Dec., 1873. H. W. L. Lewis. 

Maine—Apr., 1873. Nelson Ham. 

Maryland—Jan., 1873. Jas. T. Moore. 

Massachusetts—Dec., 1873. T. L. Allis. 

Michigan—Apr., 1873. S. F. Brown. 

Minnesota—Feb., 1869. T. A. Thompson. 

Mississippi—March, 1872. A. J. Vaughan. 






























KAPID GROWTH. 


31 


Missouri—May, 1873. T. E. Allen. 

Nebraska—Aug., 1872. Win. B. Porter. 

New Hampshire—Dec., 1873. Dudley T. Chase. 
New Jersey—Nov., 1873. Edward Howland. 
New York—Nov., 1873. Geo. D. Hinkley. 
North Carolina—July, 1873. Columbus Mills. 
Ohio—Apr., 1873. S. H. Ellis. 

Oregon—Sept., 1873. Daniel Clark. 
Pennsylvania—Sept., 1873. L. B. Mauger 
South Carolina—Oct., 1872. Thos. Taylor. 
Kentucky—July, 1873. Wrn. Maxwell. 

Texas—Oct., 1873. J. B. Johnson. 

Yermont—July, 1872. E. P. Colton. 

Virginia—Dec!!, 1873. J. W. White. 

West Virginia—Oct., 1873. B. M. Kitchen. 
Wisconsin—Oct., 1872. John Cochrane. 
Colorado—^Jan., 1874. R. Q. Tenny. 

Dakota—Nov., 1873. E. B. Grew. 


CHAPTER Vll. 

RAPID GROWTH. 

While due credit should be given to the men who first con¬ 
ceived the idea of such an organization, there is yet another 
class who should not be forgotten. Early in the work National 
Deputies were appointed to visit the different States and organ¬ 
ize a sufficient number of Subordinate Granges to form State 
Granges. These men were selected with a view to their pecu¬ 
liar fitness for*' the work, and they were, in nearly all cases, 
eminently successful. After a State Grange was formed further 
organization was left entirely to its care, and they, through the 
Master, appointed deputies in the several counties to organize 
Subordinate Granges and to supervise the working of the 
Order within their jurisdiction. These men have formed a 
noble band of workers; and in conjunction with the founders 



32 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


of the Order, they wrought out a work whose beneticent results 
none can well foresee. ’ 

While in the beginning, the farmers were slow to appreciate 
the Order until they came to see its necessity; once seeing it, 
they have accepted it as only men of deep convictions would 
do. Having comprehended its value as an instrument, botli 
men and women have taken hold of the work with an enthusi¬ 
asm which has astonished all classes. 

The growth of the Order continues to be a source of wonder 
among statesmen and capitalists. Heretofore the producing 
classes have been so silent, have seemingly taken so little inter¬ 
est in public affairs, have mainly devoted themselves so exclu¬ 
sively to their individual callings, that it is not surprising that 
this great and general uprising should attract universal atten¬ 
tion not unmixed with alarm. This is the more so that the 
representative men in the Order have been usually reticent as to 
their plans and purposes. This is true also ewiii in the Subordi¬ 
nate Grange. Rarely will be heard anything like boasting or a 
loud expression of what the Order is doing or intends to do. 
Indeed, the men and women who constitute the Brotherhood 
are not, as a rule, given to much talk; rather speaking through 
their acts. Another remarkable feature is they have no recog¬ 
nized newspaper organ. Many journals are^friendly and devote 
a portion of their columns to “Grange News,” but neither 
State or National Granges have as yet seen fit to establish any 
journal or periodical exclusively in their interest. Much val- 
iial>le information is disseminated among the members by 
private circulars; and this seems to be the favorite method of 
communication. In this way information in regard tu crops, 
new and valuable machines and implements is^circulated, and 
arrangements are being perfected to render this a still more 
valuable source of intelligence. 

In some cases a worthless machine or agricultural implement 
is killed so effectually that few or none suffer by it. 

The National Grange at its seventh annual session provided 
for a complete system of Crop and Acreage reports, the plan 


WOMAN^S POSITION IN THE ORDER. 


33 


of which is now being perfected. When coinpleted it will be 
of great value. 


CHAPTEE VIII. 

WOMAN’S POSITION IN THE ORDER. 

A considerable amount of criticism has been awakened by 
the admission of women to the Order. It is claimed that it is 
a “ Woman’s Rights ” institution. If, when men work in har¬ 
mony with their wives, daughters and sisters, they establish a 
Woman’s Rights organization, then it certainly is such. In 
the Grange woman is man’s equal in all things, according to 
the measure of her capacity. She may fill any ofiice to which 
she may be elected. She has an equal right to speak and vote 
on all questions, and her counsel and advice is always listened 
to with deference and weighed according to its merits. No 
organization has ever promised so much to woman as this; and 
no class of persons have such need of something of this kind 
as farmers’ wives. There is an unwritten history in every 
household, more especially in a new country, connected with 
woman’s duties and responsibility in the family. She is weighed 
down with a multitude of cares; her life one unceasing round 
of labor, much of it unromantic in the extreme; often bur¬ 
dened with the cares and responsibilities of a young and growing 
family of children. She has hitherto been quite deprived of 
variety and the relief and stimulus afforded by it, so essential 
to a well balanced and harmonious existence. Woman is emi¬ 
nently a social being. Man with his greater variety of occupa¬ 
tions, may live comfortably with less social intercourse; but 
woman cannot dispense with it without detriment to her intel¬ 
lectual and physical life. 

3 * 



CIIAPTEK IX. 


BUSINESS INTEBESTS. 

Whether it was the original purpose to engraft on the edu¬ 
cational and social features of the order a business arm or not, 
it is certain that is destined to play no unimportant part in its 
mission. Co-operation in buying and selling is not a new 
experiment. It has long been in successful operation both in 
Europe and America. The patrons seemed early to have 
grasped the idea of bettering their condition by this method, 
and have brought to this branch of their work a degree of wis¬ 
dom which is an earnest of future success. 

The method of co-operation in buying adopted by the order 
is very simple. A State agent is appointed whose duty it is 
to correspond and negotiate with manufacturers and large 
wholesale dealers, and ascertain upon what terms they will sell 
'their goods direct to the members. If these terms are satis¬ 
factory they are communicated to the Subordinate Granges, 
the members of which make out their orders and forward to 
the State agent with the amount of purchase money in cash. 
The State agent forwards them direct to the manufacturer or 
merchant with instructions for the shipment of the goods 
direct to the purchaser. In this way it is made the interest 
of the merchant, farmer, and the manufacturer to dispense 
almost entirely with middle men, and the risk to the manufac¬ 
turer of bad debts is avoided. Under the old system every 
man paying for his goods at the time of purchase necessarily 
paid in addition to the legitimate profit of the manufacturer 
or merchant a very large percentage to cover the loss sustained 
from those who purchased but never ])aid, and for the large 
army of clerks and employees which such a system of business 
required. A single farmer or local organization of farmers 
could effect nothing in this respect, for they would be power¬ 
less to compete with the middle men; but the trade of a coun¬ 
try or State is a valuable consideration, and the manufacturer 
will make advantageous concessions to secure it. One of the 

(34) 


BUSINESS INTERESTS. 


35 


first lessons taught in the Subordinate Grange is for its mem¬ 
bers to buy for cash, to avoid as far as possible all purchases 
on credit. And, in cases where it is imperative to do so, to \ ** 
borrow the money by giving the necessary security, rather 
than to buy on long time with a high rate of interest added to 
the price, which such a system of doing business necessitates. 

It is not expected that this change from the old ruinous sys¬ 
tem to a new, economical and safe one, can be made in a day; 
but an encouraging beginning has been made, and the result 
is certain. To illustrate the difference between the two sys¬ 
tems, one or two cases in point may be mentioned. Take the 
articles of grain or meats. The Iowa or Illinois farmer sells 
his produce to the local dealer, who sends it to the commission 
man in Chicago, who sells it to a dealer there. He in turn 
sends it to a commission house in Baltimore, New York or 
Philadelphia to be sold. This house sells it to the grain mer¬ 
chant there, who in the regular course of trade sells to a mer¬ 
chant in Charleston or Savannah, and by him it is sold to 
the planter and consumer in the interior of the country, and 
shipped over the roads at the local rates of freight. Here are 
at least six men who must receive pay for handling the farm¬ 
ers’ produce before it reaches the consumer. It will at once 
be seen that the farmer and consumer must pay this tax. 

The Patrons have just begun to inaugurate a new system. 

The agent of a Grange in South Carolina or in Mass, sends an 
order for a car-load of flour or meat to an agent in Iowa. This 
agent buys, and making the best arrangement he can with the 
long through freight lines, ships direct to the consumer. 

Iowa, in this as in other directions, has been taking the lead. 
Being almost entirely a producing State, and with few large 
towns, the people seemed to take hold of the work with a will 
at an early day. Now, however, it is only just to say other 
States are beginning to talk of claiming the banner. 

We quote from the report of the Executive, Committee of 
the State Grange of Iowa —the State Grange at its fourth 
annual session. ‘‘Your Committee would call attention to 


36 


FATKONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


the following facts as engrossed from circulars sent to the vari¬ 
ous Deputies in the different counties in the State. These 
statistics are necessarily incomplete, from the fact that many 
counties have failed to report. But from this showing we can 
but congratulate our members upon the favorable introduction 
of the system of business which has been inaugurated. There 
has been bought and sold by the agents of the order during 
the past year at least $5,000,000 in value. From these reports 
we also conclude that the prices of family supplies have been 
reduced fifteen per cent., and the price of agricultural machines 
and implements has decreased at least twenty per cent. 

We also conclude from all the means we have for acquiring 
information, that there are engaged in the sale of agricultural 
implements and domestic machines at least 1,344 persons devot¬ 
ing their whole time to the work of buyii^ from manufactur¬ 
ers and selling to farmers.” Most of these are soon to be dis¬ 
pensed with. 'No feature of the order has had to encounter 
more bitter and determined opposition than this system of 
buying and selling. The whole class of middle men early took 
the alarm and assailed it in every possible way. Even that 
portion of the press most favorable to the order expressed 
grave doubts of the possibility of making it a success. This 
view grew out of a wrong understanding of its merits or work¬ 
ing. But time and experience have wrought a change. The 
success of the plan in Iowa shows that it is based on sound 
business principles, and only needs the cordial co-operation of 
the members to make it equally successful in all the States. 
Manufacturers and heavy dealers are learning that it is as ben¬ 
eficial to them as to the farmer. When the system was first 
tried, only here and there could be found a manufacturer who 
had the courage to attempt to deal with the agents of the 
order. The first man, we believe, who tried it in Iowa was a 
plough manufacturer. The result has been that every imple¬ 
ment he has been able to make has been sold for cash, and at 
a reasonable profit. After a little time others came into the 
arrangement, and found it equally to their advantage. Sew- 


RELATION TO POLITICS. 


37 


ing machine manufacturers, tired of tlieir ruinous system of 
bad debts, large armies of paid agents, and uncertain returns, 
have found it to their advantage to accept the new system. 

The co-operative system is yet in its infancy, and the leaders 
in the movement have not been anxious to push it faster than 
the legitimate demands and education of the people would 
warrant; but that it will be generally adopted there can be no 
doubt. 

The order of Patrons are far from desiring to destroy or 
injure any legitimate calling or industry. On the contrary 
their policy is to encourage all such enterprises. Thus in Iowa 
there is a much larger amount of manufacturing done than 
two years ago, and one cause for it is the encouragement given 
to it by the Order, and their system of doing business. The 
State Grange has always given its preference in its contracts 
to home manufacturers and merchants and it is far from ask¬ 
ing any to work for less than a legitimate business profit. 
Eventually all manufacturers will come to see that the system 
of doing business adopted by the Order is as beneficial to them 
as to the farmer. 


CHAPTEK X. 

EELATION TO POLITICS. 

There has been an impression that the Order of Patrons 
of Husbandry was a political organization; and indeed, until 
recently, this was a prevailing belief. Especially has this 
been true of that class of persons who feared its power, and 
of those who desired to see it a failure. Art. 12th of the 
National Constitution reads : “ Religious and Political ques¬ 
tions will not be tolerated as subjects of discussion in the work 
of the Order; and no political or religious tests for membership 
shall be applied.” 

In the declaration of ])urposes of the seventh session of the 
National Grange it is stated: “ We emphatically and sincerely 



88 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


assert the oft-repeated truth taught in our organic law, that 
the Grange, National, State, or Subordinate, is not a political 
or party organization. No Grange, if true to its obligations, 
can discuss political or religious questions, nor call political 
conventions, nor nominate candidates, nor even discuss their 
merits in its meetings.” 

As an instance of how faithfully this provision of the law is 
observed may be mentioned the f ict, that at a recent session of 
the Iowa General Assembly, during a controversy over the 
election of a Speaker, lasting thi’ough a number of days, the 
members of the Order in that body were about evenly divided, 
and steadily voted for their respective candidates. In an organ¬ 
ization numbering among its members men of all shades of 
political and religious views, there can, of necessity, be nothing 
like partisanship. Yet no one who gives tjie subject thought 
can doubt that this Order is destined to largely influence legis¬ 
lation. Keeping in mind that education, enlightenment, and 
the highest integrity in private and public life are the ends 
sought, and that these principles are discussed in almost eveiy 
school district in the land, by men and women drawn together 
by a bond of strong fraternal interest, it can well be understood 
that the effect could not be limited or small. It is possible 
that in the beginning, and for a time, they may demand, in 
the expenditure of public money, a line of policy which would 
be too narrow and parsimonious; but with the spread of intel¬ 
ligence, and a better understanding of the true mission of 
government, a healthy and wise administration of public affairs 
will be required and enforced. But this result will not be 
reached through partisan political action, but simply because 
the Order educates every man to be a good citizen, and teaches 
him what his real interests are in public afiairs. 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE RELATION OF THE ORDER TO RAILROADS. 

No class of people are more interested in the railways of the 
conntry than hirmers, from the fact that a large portion of 
their products are bulky and heavy, and must find a foreign 
market. Consequently rates of freight are to them of vital 
importance. Every penny added to the freight on a bushel of 
grain reduces in that ratio the profit to the farmer. 

At the same time we may justly say that no class are more 
• ready to acknowledge the blessings railways were intemied to 
bring to the producers of the country. Of all the means which 
have so rapidly enlarged the channels of business and given 
an impetus to civilization, this stands pre-eminent: and due 
credit is given to those enterprising capitalists, who, bj^ their 
vigorous thought and untiring energy, have added so much to 
the growth of the country. The Order of Patrons fully appre¬ 
ciates all this, and is ready to give credit w'here credit is due. 

But there is another phase to this.subject which they do not 
approve, and against which they are bringing their powerful 
infiuence to bear; I refer to the system of frauds in railway 
building, which has become so common in the last few years. 

There is no intelligent man, whether a member of the order 
or not, but must look with alarm upon the growing tendencies 
of these corporations to oppress the people. It is shown by 
careful research that the railroads of the State of Iowa—roads 
built during the last tMrelve years—have not cost, on an aver¬ 
age, to build and stock them, over eighteen thousand dollars 
per mile; and the companies have received in the way of direct 
gifts, in money and land, over half that sum. Yet they show 
a valuation in stock snd mortgage bonds nearly double the 
actual cost of construction. 

The other Western States have had a similar experience. 
Eastern roads are even in a worse condition. Kufus Hatch 
claims that the fictitious stock on the roads over which West¬ 
ern grain goes to market from Chicago to New York, amounts 

(39) 


40 


MATRONS OF HU6BANT:)KY. 


to seventy-nine thousand dollars per mile; and Mr. G. 0. 
Jones, at a recent hearing before the Senate Transportation 
Committee, corroborates these statements and estimates that 
ten millions of dollars^ in the way of dividends, is paid on 
watered stock alone. A moment’s reflection will serve to con¬ 
vince any candid reader that this is far from being a healthy 
condition, that it must work serious evil, not only to honest 
owners of railway securities, but also to all classes—farmers, 
merchants and manufacturers. But on the farmer the heaviest 
burden falls because the freight on his products bears a larger 
proportion to its value, than on other articles. 

Against this whole system of watered stock, of reckless man¬ 
agement, and Credit Mobilier in building, the order of Pat¬ 
rons enters its determined protest. 

The methods proposed for remedying these evils are various. 
There is no doubt but that time must be taken, perhaps numer¬ 
ous experiments tried, before the final solution is reached. 
The great difliculty in the way is that capitalists have honestly, 
and in many instances-ignorantly, invested their money in 
these flctitious securities. But the farmer persistently asks, 
“ Why should I give from the products of my labor to pay for 
capital obtained by fraud? ” 

This difference in views between railroad men and the pro¬ 
ducer will not at once be adjusted. On the one hand is the 
entire railroad interest, representing a large income, and an 
army of employees more numerous than that of the general 
government; on the other, the body of the producing classes, 
undisciplined and not accustomed to work in union. But the 
Patrons of Husbandry are fast remedying the want of organi¬ 
zation, and the united interests of the people will in the end 
prevail. It may be necessary for the people to exert their 
sovereign right of eminent domain before the question is 
finally settled. 

The principle of eternal justice is sure, and— 

“Though the mills of God grind slowly, 

Yet they grind exceeding small, 

Though with patience he stand waiting, 

With exactness grinds lie all.’’ 


BANGERS TO THE ORDER. 


41 


Thore Ccin be no doubt but in tlie end equity will tri¬ 
umph. To all railroad and transportation enterprises, honestly 
conducted, recognizing that the owner and the shipper have 
interests in common, the Order ol Patrons will ever extend a 
generous encouragement, and will in addition aid such enter¬ 
prises with their means. They do not, as is sometimes claimed, 
propose in any way to destroy or unsettle the values of any 
legitimate or honestly acquired species of property, but they 
will insist that their interests, equally with those of other 
classes, shall be respected. They insist that all kind of prop¬ 
erty shall bear its equal share of common burdens. They are 
determined that special legislation, with a view of giving one 
class of interest special privileges, shall cease, and that the 
evils which have grown up under an unhealthy and unjust sys¬ 
tem shall be remedied at an early day, in a wdse and judicious 
manner. 


CHAPTEK XII. 

DANGEES TO THE OEDEK. 

The Order of Patrons cannot expect to be exempted from 
the evils which attend every great popular movement. All 
history teaches that in every step of the world’s progress there 
is greater danger from false friends than from open and avowed 
enemies. We judge that no reform movement of modern 
times has been as important as this. The question which this 
reform brings before us is—Are the producing classes of this 
(country capable of transacting their own business? Are they 
competent to go forward to that high degree of education which 
both their own and the country’s good demands? Shall their 
children be American citizens, competent for all places of honor 
and trust? or must they be simply the “hewers of wood and 
drawers of water,” while a moneyed aristocracy controls their 
industry and the government? 

In the beginning the masses of the people stood aloof from 



42 


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 


the movement; now that it has assumed form and become 
powerful, men of all classes are seeking admission to the ranks. 
It would be expecting too much of humanity that some would 
not seek fellowship from selfish and unworthy motives, and of 
this class the members of the Order need beware. 

Another class will do all in their power to bring the Order 
into disrepute. Actuated by personal ambition, and failing to 
obtain a place in the organization, they will try to destroy or 
injure it. 

The men to whom is committed tlie sacred trust of this great 
movement to elevate the producing (lasses need to watch and 
carefully guard against these dangers. 

From the history of the movement thus far it would seem 
that tliere has been a wise and healthy degree of conservatism 
which has been content to wait the ripening of events, rather 
than, by rasli and premature action, to endanger the success 
of the cause. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE FUTURE OF THE ORDER. 

The statesman and the citizen both very naturally ask—What 
is to be the future of an organization starting among the people 
and making such a rapid growdh in so short a time? It seems 
to have been of humble origin, but has taken a deep hold on 
the hearts of the whole agricultural population. 

It starts by declaring the absolute equality of the human 
family. It is no respecter of person, color, sect, or sex, but 
has reference most emphatically to character ; declining to 
admit drunkards, gamblers, professional politicians, or those 
whose pursuits are antagonistic to the producing interest. 

It aims at the embellishment of labor, and the fraternity of 
the producing classes; at mutual instruction, and lightening 
of labor by diffusing a better knowledge of its aims. It seeks 
to promote social culture, as also a high moral and mental 



THE future of THE ORDER. 


43 


development; mutual relief in sickness and adversity, the pre¬ 
vention of litigation, and of cruelty to animals, and seeks to 
bring more nearly together the producer and consumer. It 
aims at a reformation pf our linance and absurd credit systems, 
and is unwearied in endeavor to build up our liome industries. 

No class of men ever had a more sublime platform nor a 
greater work before them. Tlie farmers of this country are 
now on trial before the world. Will they be able to elevate 
their calling and their class? It depends on themselves. The 
founders have prepared the field—possibly they planned and 
labored wiser than they knew. Surely no more elevated and 
noble work was ever before undertaken. The avowed princi¬ 
ples of the Order combine co-operation and fraternity without 
any taint of communism or agrarianism. No system more 
religiously respects the rights of property, whether it be 
invested in the farm, the railway, or the store. 

Its moral influence is direct and positive, without being sec¬ 
tarian or narrow, or preventing the widest difference of opinion. 
Purity in the soul an& the conduct of life is sought to be pro¬ 
moted with all earnestness. 

If the principles of the Order are carried to their ultimate 
result, a people and a government will be fijund in this country 
such as the world has never seen. 

Agriculture is the basis of a nation’s strength, and from this 
springs its prosperity. In elevating the farmer no class is 
debased; on the contrary, when husbandry is ennobled all call¬ 
ings and professions are alike lifted up. The time will come 
when all callings will be willing to encourage this work; for 
all must eventually see that while nothing but wrong-doing 
is destroyed, all legitimate professions and industries are 
benefited. 

The result of this work will be that farmers’ sons and daugh¬ 
ters will learn to love the farm rather than to leave it the first 
opportunity for the uncertainties of a city or professional life. 

Then let the thinking men of the Order in every district, 
town, and county take care that they comprehend the import- 


44 


PATRONS OF iriJSBANDRY. 


ance of their work, and faithfully do it. Every consideration 
prompts them to carry forward this work to a successful ter¬ 
mination. Every farmer and every farmer’s wife, son, and 
daughter should feel that they are in duty bound to aid. The 
effect of the success of this Order will he that our government 
will become what all good men desire it to he. Credit mobi- 
liers, frauds in railway building, peculations among govern¬ 
ment officials, corruption in places of trust, will find no place, 
simply because the moral strength of the people will make it 
impossible. 

A republican government is never much better or much 
worse than the people. Elevate the morals of the community 
and the government will be elevated in like degree. 

The time will come when the woi'd of a member of a Grange 
shall l)e sterling in every transaction, and pass as current as 
the coin of the nation; and not only field but hi^lifie shall 
be made beautiful by his association, his presence at home shall 
be an atmosphere ot peace, and his influence among his neigh¬ 
bors such that it may be said of him, as*in the palmy days of 
the Homan liepnblic—not, indeed, that ‘Gie is a I\oman 
Citizen,” but that he is a Patron of Husbandry.” 


T0D8ISTS AND PlEASDRE SEEKERS 

GOING TO OR RETURNING FROM THE NORTH, 

SHOULD PURCHASE TICKETS VIA THE 



261 Miles Burlington to Austin, 

Running through the most beautiful and highly cultivated portion 
of the State of Iowa—the thriving cities of 


Ctlar Rapids, Viilai, WaMoo aid ftdar Falls, 

On the Main Line; 

Independence, West Union, Postville and McGregor, 

On the Milwaukee Division ; and with its connections forms 

The shortest and most desirable Route between 

ST. LOUIS, ST. PAUL & MINNEAPOLIS. 

CLOSE CONNECTIONS ARE ALSO MADE 
AT WEST LIBERTY, with the C. R. I. & P. Railway. 

A T CEDAR RAEIDS, with the Milwaukee Div. of the B. C. R. & M 
Railway, the C. & N. W. Railway, and the D. & S. W. Railway. 

AT WATERLOO and CEDAR FALLS, with Ill. Cent. Rail’y. 


The Passenger Trains on this Road are all fully equipped with the 

celebrated 

WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKES & MILLER COUPLINGS, 

Which are justly considered the most perfect safeguard against accident. 

NEW AND ELEGANT SLEEPING CAES ON ALL NIGHT TRAINS, 

And all Trains in charge of courteous and experienced Conductors, 

Via this Line, for Sale at all Principal Offices. 


WM. GREENE, C. J. IVES, 

Gen’l Manager, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gen. Pass. Ag't, Burlington, Iowa. 














THE FOOTPRINTS OP TIME 

tind a Complete Analysis of 

Our American System of Go vernment. 

By CHAKLES BANOEOET. 

LEGAL FACTS AND FORMS. 

By Jui>ge J. C. POWER, of the Southern District op Iowa. 

THE ORIGIN, RAPID GROWTH AND GENERAL STATISTICS' 

OF THE 

OW HtJSB^ISrDKY. 

By a. B. SMEDLEY, AIaster op the State Grange op Iowa. 


In Pine English Cloth...$3.75 

Extra Leather (Library Style)... 4.60 


R. T. ROOT, Publisher, 

BUKLINGTON, IOWA. 

P. S. — This book is having an immense sale in all places where it has 
been introduced. It is a work which the people really need. For proof 
we ask the reader to carefully examine it. The facts have been gathered 
from official sources, at great expense and many months of hard labor, by 
the most competent authority. It is not published in the way most books 
are in the West. With very few exceptions the copyright holder and the 
proprietor of the books published West live in the East, and they have 
their profit on the book before it reaches the Western publisher. I hold 
the copyright and own the electrotype plates myself, and no one else has a 
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very low rate. 

I want active, enterprising, energetic Agents, and with such I shall be 
pleased to arrange for canvassing, and can send terms on application. 

R B 9. 3. I R T. K 




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